SL debutant breaks 41-year-old record of India’s 1983 WC star

NEW DELHI: In a remarkable feat, Sri Lankan debutant Milan Rathnayake shattered a long-standing Test record by scoring the highest runs by a number 9 batter in men’s red-ball cricket. The 28-year-old surpassed India’s Balwinder Sandhu‘s record of 71, a splendid knock that came against Pakistan in Hyderabad in 1983.
Sandhu scored 71 in the first innings and then 12 in the second innings against the arch-rivals in that Test match.
Rathnayake’s impressive innings of 72 off 135 balls, adorned with six boundaries and two sixes, came to an end when he was dismissed by Shoaib Bashir.
On the first day of the Test match between Sri Lanka and England in Manchester, Rathnayake showcased his resilience and determination, stepping up to the crease with his team in a precarious position at 113/7.
England’s bowling attack, spearheaded by Chris Woakes (3/32) and Gus Atkinson (2/48), had already wreaked havoc on the Sri Lankan top order.
Undeterred by the pressure, Rathnayake displayed immense composure, stitching together a crucial 63-run partnership with captain Dhananjaya de Silva for the 8th wicket.

His valiant effort propelled Sri Lanka to a respectable total of 236 before the day’s play concluded. Rathnayake’s resistance was finally broken by the young spinner Shoaib Bashir, who enticed him into an aerial drive that resulted in a comfortable catch for Woakes at mid-on.
In response, England’s opening duo of Ben Duckett and Daniel Lawrence got off to a brisk start, setting the tone for their team’s innings.
Despite the absence of Zak Crawley, the pair combined to score three boundaries in the span of four overs.
England concluded the day with a score of 22/0, and they will be eager to capitalize on their positive start on Day 2, employing their aggressive ‘Bazball’ approach to the game.