List of Sri Lankan bowlers to take five-wicket haul on debut in test cricket

Only seven Sri Lankan bowlers have taken five-wicket haul on debut in test cricket.

Sri Lanka have produced many great bowlers in their history, who have done well at the highest level. Especially in test cricket, they have always had a bunch of exciting bowlers.

This article is related to Sri Lankan bowlers who started brilliantly in test cricket. Muttiah Muralitharan, Chaminda Vaas, and Rangana Herath are some prime examples. But none of these managed to take a five-wicket haul on test debut.

In this article, we will talk about the Sri Lankan bowlers, who have taken a fifer on debut in test cricket. Notably, there are seven Sri Lankans who have achieved this feat.

List of Sri Lankan bowlers to take five-wicket haul on debut in test cricket

1. Kosala Kuruppuarachchi – 5/44 vs Pakistan, 1986

Kosala Kuruppuarachchi was the first Sri Lankan bowler to achieve this milestone. The left-arm seamer made his debut in test cricket against Pakistan in Colombo in March 1986.

He made an impact straight away with a 5/44 in his first test innings. He followed it up with a 2/41 in the second innings and took seven wickets in his debut game to help Sri Lanka win the game by eight wickets.

2. Upal Chandana – 6/179 vs Pakistan, 1999

Former all-rounder Upal Chandana made his test debut in the final of the Asian Test Championship 1999 against Pakistan in Dhaka. He had a very good performance and took 6/179 in the 47.5 overs he bowled in his debut innings.

He also scored 15 and 28 with the bat, but Sri Lanka lost the game by an innings and 175 runs.

3. Akila Dananjaya – 5/24 vs Bangladesh, 2018

Akila Dananjaya, who is Sri Lanka’s white-ball specialist, has great test numbers as well. He played his first test against Bangladesh in Mirpur in February 2018 and helped his team win it by 215 runs.

He took 3/20 and 5/24 in two innings of the game. With this, he became only the third Sri Lankan bowler to take a fifer on test debut.

4. Lasith Embuldeniya – 5/66 vs South Africa, 2019

The 2019 test against South Africa in Durban was one of the iconic tests in Sri Lankan history. They recorded their highest successful chase in SENA countries. Kusal Perera played a match-winning knock of 153 not out in the fourth innings and Sri Lanka won the game by 1 wicket.

That was the debut game for Lasith Embuldeniya. The left-arm spinner took 5/66 in the second innings to restrict South Africa to 259 runs, and Sri Lanka got a target of 304, which they eventually chased down.

5. Praveen Jayawickrama – 6/92 & 5/86 vs Bangladesh, 2021

Left-arm spinner Praveen Jayawickrama is the first Sri Lankan bowler to take two fifers on debut in test cricket. He played his first test against Bangladesh in Pallekele in 2021. Praveen took 6/92 and 5/86 in the two innings of the game.

Sri Lankan won the game by a massive margin of 209 runs, and he was adjudged the Man of the Match for his brilliant performance on debut.

6. Prabath Jayasuriya – 6/118 & 6/59 vs Australia, 2022

Prabath Jayasuriya holds the record for the best match figures on debut in test cricket by a Sri Lankan bowler. He made his test debut against Australia at Galle International Stadium in July 2022. Prabath took 6/118 in the first innings.

In the second innings, he took 6/59 and completed 12 wickets in his first game. Sri Lanka won the game by an innings and 39 runs, and Prabath won Man of the Match award.

7. Nishan Peiris – 6/170 vs New Zealand, 2024

Nishan Peiris is the latest Sri Lankan bowler to join this elite list. The right-arm off-break bowler made his debut against New Zealand at Galle International Cricket Stadium in September 2024 and played a crucial role in Sri Lanka’s historic series whitewash.

Nishan ended with nine wickets in his first game. He took 3/33 and 6/170 in the match. Sri Lanka won that game by an innings and 154 runs and won a test series against New Zealand after 15 years.

(List updated till 29th September, 2024)

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