Sri Lankan Cricket journey has many remarkable moments that has cemented Sri Lanka’s legacy as a great cricketing nation. Sri Lanka’s Test Cricket Team has left an indelible mark on cricket with their brilliant batting displays and bowling attacks, which have produced many memorable matches.We view the Top 10 Most Memorable Test Matches of the Sri Lankan Cricket Team.
1. Sri Lanka Vs. Australia 1996
Sri Lanka faced Australia in August 1996 in a historic test match in Colombo, where they defeated the veterans by six wickets to claim their first test match victory. Aravinda De Silva was a massive factor in this win, scoring a crucial 103 for Sri Lanka to chase down the target of 220 runs in the second inning. This match held significance and was a big motivation for Sri Lankan fans who were upset following the Easter Bombing in Colombo.
2. Sri Lanka Vs. England 2014
In 2014, Sri Lanka hosted England for the 2nd Test Match in Colombo. This match was important as it marked the end of one of Sri Lanka’s finest cricketers, Kumar Sangakkara. But, he would retire with ensuring a test series win for Sri Lanka, as he scored twin centuries in both innings of the match. Sangakkara’s heroics put away a beaten England for good, and fans bid adieu to the legendary wicketkeeper-batsman.
3. Sri Lanka Vs. South Africa 2006
July 2006 marked a historic milestone in Sri Lankan cricket as Mutthiah Muralidharan picked up his 800th Wicket in Test Cricket, the highest by a bowler. He achieved this feat against South Africa. In this match, many of Sri Lanka’s bowlers, such as Vaas and Malinga, also deserve credit as they rattled out South African batters enough for Muralidharan to take their wickets. The achievement still stands as an epitome of Sri Lankan dominance in cricket.
4. Sri Lanka Vs. Pakistan 2000
Sri Lanka hosted Pakistan at the Asgiriya Stadium in Kandy on February 2000. This match was known for a memorable comeback by the Sri Lankan team after a dismal start where the team went out poorly and followed on in the second inning. Aravinda De Silva, the big hitter in Sri Lanka, saved Sri Lanka and led them to a draw by scoring 265 runs.
5. Sri Lanka Vs. Zimbabwe 1998
In January 1998, Sri Lanka faced off against Zimbabwe in a memorable test match, in which the complete dominance of Chaminda Vaas ensured their victory. Vaas picked up eight wickets in the second inning, which had a hattrick and disrupted Zimbabwe batters throughout the match. His bowling spell is a famous one in Sri Lankan Cricket.
6. Sri Lanka Vs. Zimbabwe 2012
Sri Lanka hosted New Zealand at the Galle International Stadium. This match is best known for the exceptional bowling display of Rangana Herath, who troubled Kiwi batters with his drift and flight, picking up eleven wickets. In the second inning, defending a target of over 300, Rangana Herath picked up six wickets, thus putting away a dizzied New Zealand for good and picking up a thrilling victory.
7. Sri Lanka Vs. India 2001
India toured Sri Lanka for a four-match series. In this series, the 3rd Test is known for Sri Lanka winning by an inning and 64 runs. A mammoth total was due to brilliant batting displays by Mahela Jayawardene, Marvan Attapattu, Hashan Tilakaratne, and Thilan Samaraweera, each scoring centuries. Mutthiah Muralidharan's brilliance silenced Indian batters.
8. Sri Lanka Vs. West Indies 2001
Sri Lanka hosted the Windies at the Sinhalese Sports Club, where we saw the brilliance of Mahela Jayawardene. Jayawardene scored a commanding knock of 242 runs, propelling Sri Lanka to an enormous total. The bowlers were all over the West Indies batters, dismissing them to earn an innings win for Sri Lanka.
9. Sri Lanka Vs. Pakistan 2009
Sri Lanka hosted Pakistan in 2009 at the National Stadium in Karachi. The match was historic, especially for the resilient innings of Thilan Samaraweera, who scored 214 runs and partnered up with Mahela Jayawardene to propel Sri Lanka after they found themselves at a dismal 44 for 3. Sri Lanka posted a mammoth score of 644. The match drew after a brilliant triple-hundred from Pakistani batter Younis Khan. This match legitimized Sri Lanka’s claim as one of the best cricketing countries and established numerous records.
10. Sri Lanka vs. England, 2nd Test 2014
England hosted Sri Lanka for the 2nd Test at Headingley Cricket Ground in Leeds. The English batters posted a decent total. Sri Lanka was down to 244 for 5 in the first inning. Wicketkeeper-batsman Kumar Sangakkara and all-rounder Angelo Mathews partnered up for 267 runs as both batters scored their centuries. Both batters led Sri Lanka to a respectable total of 447. Rangana Herath, a seasoned spinner, dismantled the England batting order with 5 for 57. This match showed Sri Lanka's ability to bounce back from difficult situations and win games.
