Best Knocks By Sri Lankan Batters Against South Africa In Test Matches

The Sri Lankan cricket team, nicknamed The Lions, is unarguably one of the top teams in test cricket. The Sri Lankan team has always produced great cricketers like Sangakkara, Jayawardene, Muarlitaharan & Malinga. In contrast, the South African team was once known for making quick fast bowlers and great batters. So, in this article, we will discuss 'Best knocks by Sri Lankan batters against South Africa in Test matches.'

1. Mahela Jayawardene

Mahela Jayawardene was one of the best players from Sri Lanka, with more than handy batting in the middle order. In a game against South Africa in the 2006 test series, batting in 2nd innings, Sri Lanka piled up 756 runs on a road of a pitch with Mahela Jayawardene smacking a triple century. Batting in 2nd innings, with the score reading 14-2, Jayawardene stitched together a 624-run stand with Kumar Sangakkara. In his knock, where he spent nearly 11 and a half hours facing 374 balls, he smashed 43 boundaries and a gigantic six, scoring 374 runs. His knock was enough to ensure Sri Lankan victory.

2. Kumar Sangakkara

Kumar Sangakkara was unarguably one of the best players from Sri Lanka, with more than handy wicketkeeping skills. In a game against South Africa in the 2004 test series, batting in 1st innings, Sri Lanka piled up 470 runs on a road of a pitch with Kumar Sangakkara smacking a double century. Batting in 1st innings, with the score reading 99-2, Sangakkara stitched together a 192-run stand with Mahela Jayawardene. In his 529-ball knock, where he spent nearly eight and a half hours, he smashed 31 boundaries and a gigantic six, scoring 232 runs.

3. Dimuth Karunaratne

Dimuth Karunaratne is one of the best players from Sri Lanka, with more than handy batting at the top of the order. In a game against South Africa in the 2018 test series, batting in 1st innings, Sri Lanka piled up 287 runs on a tricky pitch with Dimuth Karunaratne smacking a century. Batting in 1st innings, with the score reading 224-9, Karunaratne stitched together a 63-run stand with Lakshan Sandakan. In his 222-ball knock, where he spent nearly 6 hours, he smashed 12 boundaries and a gigantic six, scoring 158 runs.

4. Kusal Perera

Kusal Perera is one of the best players from Sri Lanka, with more than handy wicketkeeping skills. In a game against South Africa in the 2019 test series, batting in 4th innings Sri Lanka piled up 304 runs on a tricky pitch with Kusal Perera smacking a century. Chasing 304 runs, with the score reading 226-9, Perera stitched together a 78-run stand with Vishwa Fernando. In his 200-ball knock, where he spent nearly five hours, he smashed 12 boundaries and five gigantic sixes, scoring 153 runs and taking Sri Lanka over the line.

5. Sanath Jayasuriya

Sanath Jayasuriya was one of the best players from Sri Lanka, with more than handy off-spin bowling. In a game against South Africa in the 2000 test series, batting in 1st innings, Sri Lanka piled up 522 runs on a road of a pitch with Sanath Jayasuriya smacking a century. Batting in 1st innings, Jayasuriya stitched together a 193-run stand with Marvan Atapattu. In his 156-ball knock, where he spent nearly 3 hours, he smashed 24 boundaries and a gigantic six, scoring 148 runs.

6. Arjun Ranatunga

Arjun Ranatunga was one of the best players from Sri Lanka, with more than handy batting in the middle order. In a game against South Africa in the 1993 test series, batting in 3rd innings, Sri Lanka piled up 300 runs on a tricky pitch with Sanath Jayasuriya smacking a century. Batting in 3rd innings, with the score reading 75-4, Ranatunga stitched together a 121-run stand with Aravinda de Silva. In his 140-ball knock, where he spent nearly 3 hours, he smashed 18 boundaries and a gigantic six, scoring 131 runs.

7. Marvan Atapattu

Marvan Atapattu was one of the best players from Sri Lanka, with more than handy batting at the top of the order. In a game against South Africa in the 2000 test series, batting in 2nd innings, Sri Lanka piled up 308 runs on a tricky pitch with Marvan Atapattu smacking a century. Batting in 2nd innings, with the score reading 182-4, Atapattu stitched together a 104-run stand with Arjun Ranatunga. In his 292-ball knock, where he spent nearly 6 hours, he smashed 15 boundaries, scoring 120 runs. However, his knock went in vain as Sri Lanka failed to ensure a victory.

8. Thilan Samarweera

Thilan Samarweera was unarguably one of the best players from Sri Lanka, with more than handy batting in the middle order. In a game against South Africa in the 2012 test series, batting in the 3rd innings, Sri Lanka piled up 342 runs on a road of a pitch with Thilan Samarweera smacking a century. Following on in 3rd innings, with the score reading 98-4, Samarweera stitched together a 142-run stand with Angelo Mathews. In his 215-ball knock, where he spent nearly 5 hours, he smashed 14 boundaries, scoring 115 runs.

9. Hashan Tillakaratne

Hashan Tillakaratne was one of the most underrated players from Sri Lanka, with more than handy wicketkeeping skills. In a game against South Africa in the 2002 test series, batting in 1st innings, Sri Lanka piled up 323 runs on a road of a pitch with Hashan Tillakaratne smacking a century. Batting in 1st innings, with the score reading 108-3, Tillakaratne stitched together a 81-run stand with Mahela Jayawardene. In his 231-ball knock, where he spent nearly 5 hours, he smashed 17 boundaries, scoring 104 runs.

10. Kusal Mendis

Kusal Mendis is one of the most underrated players from Sri Lanka, with more than handy wicketkeeping skills. In a game against South Africa in the 2019 test series, batting in 4th innings, Sri Lanka chased down 197 runs on a tricky pitch with Kusal Mendis smacking a half-century. Chasing 197 runs, with the score reading 34-2, Mendis stitched together a 163-run stand with Oshada Fernando. In his 110-ball knock, where he spent nearly 3 hours, he smashed 13 boundaries, scoring 84 runs and taking Sri Lanka over the line.