Top 5 Sri Lanka batsmen with most runs in test cricket

Only two Sri Lankan batsmen have scored more than 10,000 runs in test cricket.

The Sri Lankan cricket team has a rich history of legendary batsmen. In particular, since the 1990s, the Island Nation has produced some of the all-time greatest batsmen.

Having made their test debut in 1982, Sri Lanka have recorded 106 victories in 323 test matches so far, their win percentage of 32.81 being better than the likes of West Indies, India and Pakistan.

As much as their success is the result of terrific bowling performances from Muthiah Muralitharan, Rangana Herath and Chaminda Vaas, the Sri Lankan batsmen also have made hefty contributions to their test cricket. In this article, we will look at the top five Sri Lankan test run-scorers.

Top 5 Sri Lanka batsmen with the most runs in test cricket:

5. Sanath Jayasuriya – 6973 runs

Legendary all-rounder Sanath Jayasuriya is his country’s fifth-highest test scorer. Jayasuriya started his career as a spinner and lower-order batsman before slowly moving up the order and becoming one of the most dangerous batsmen of all time.

He amassed 6973 runs in 110 test matches that he played in his 17-year career. He averaged 40 and notched up 14 test centuries.

4. Dimuth Karunaratne – 7164 runs

Known for his solidity, opener Dimuth Karunaratne is his country’s fourth-highest test scorer with 7164 runs. The left-hander has featured in 98 test matches so far, in which he averages 40 and has recorded 16 hundreds. His highest test score is 244.

Under Karunaratne’s captaincy, Sri Lanka recorded a test series win in South Africa in 2019.

3. Angelo Mathews – 8006 runs

One of Sri Lanka’s most reliable batsmen of the past 15 years is Angelo Mathews, who is his nation’s third-highest test run-scorer with 8006 runs. Mathews has played in 116 test matches so far, in which he averages an impressive 45.23 with 16 centuries.

The right-hander has a highest test score of 200*.

2. Mahela Jayawardene – 11814 runs

Only two Sri Lankan batsmen have scored more than 10,000 test runs. Former captain Mahela Jayawardene is one of them.

With 149 tests, Jayawardene is Sri Lanka’s most-capped test player. He amassed 11814 runs in the longest format at a terrific average of 49 and notched up 34 centuries.

Jayawardene’s highest test score is 374, which he scored against South Africa in 2006 in Colombo. He has six double centuries as well.

1. Kumar Sangakkara – 12400 runs

Hailed as arguably Sri Lanka’s greatest batsman, Kumar Sangakkara is his country’s leading run-scorer in tests and ODIs. In 134 tests, the left-hander scored 12400 runs at a mind-blowing average of 57.

Sangakkara raised 38 test centuries, the most for his nation, and 52 fifties. The southpaw registered one triple century and 11 double centuries in his test career.

Sangakkara and Jayawardene formed the heart of Sri Lanka’s batting in the first 15 years of the 21st century.

(All stats updated till 16 September 2024)

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