Sri Lanka

Sanath Jayasuriya

Born: June 30, 1969, Matara

Sanath Jayasuriya bio

Sanath Teran Jayasuriya is a former professional cricket player from Sri Lanka, who is widely regarded as one of the most explosive batsmen in the history of the sport. Born on June 30, 1969, in Matara, Sri Lanka, Jayasuriya’s cricketing prowess and powerful strokeplay made him a formidable force on the field.

Jayasuriya began his career as a bowler who could bat a bit, but he soon established himself as an exceptional all-rounder. With his incredible hand-eye coordination and powerful forearms, he became known for his ability to score briskly in every format of the game. His aggressive batting style, combined with his savage hitting ability, made him a nightmare for bowling attacks around the world.

Although he was primarily a batsman, Jayasuriya’s slow left-arm bowling was also a valuable weapon in his arsenal. While he relied more on variations in pace rather than sharp turn, he managed to pick up an impressive 440 international wickets.

In 1993, Jayasuriya had his first stint as an ODI opener during the Hero Cup in India. However, it was during a home series against Pakistan the following year that he truly established himself in the role. He made a name for himself in the international cricket scene when he scored his first century in Tests, a frenetic and stroke-filled effort in Adelaide.

Despite Aravinda de Silva’s heroics during the 1996 World Cup, it was Jayasuriya’s aggressive batting that left a lasting impact. His powerful assaults on India in Delhi and England in the quarter-finals helped pave the way for Sri Lanka’s eventual World Cup victory. He continued to dominate Test attacks, scoring at a blazing pace.

Jayasuriya captained the Sri Lankan team for four years, leading them to a semi-final appearance in the 2003 World Cup. In 2004, he had one of his most successful years, defying critics who speculated about his diminishing returns with the bat. However, a retirement announcement in 2006 was short-lived as he came back within weeks, giving fans more iconic innings to enjoy.

In one-day cricket, Jayasuriya guided Sri Lanka to another World Cup final in 2007 and played a central role in their victory in the Asia Cup in 2008. Despite a decline in his performance in subsequent campaigns, his big-hitting talent was showcased in the Indian Premier League.

Jayasuriya’s international career seemed to be heading towards a close when he was elected as a member of parliament in April 2010, but he managed to make the longlist for the 30-man squad for the 2011 World Cup. Although he did not play in the tournament, it was a testament to his enduring impact on the cricketing world.

His last ODI and T20I matches occurred in England in 2011, just weeks before his 42nd birthday. Jayasuriya’s legacy as an explosive batsman and a valuable all-rounder continues to inspire countless aspiring cricketers. With a remarkable career that spanned over two decades, Sanath Jayasuriya will always be remembered as one of the greatest cricketers Sri Lanka has ever produced.

Sanath Jayasuriya career stats

Batting stats

Batting Matches Innings Nos Runs High score Ave BF SR 100s 50s 4s 6s Ct St
Tests 110 188 14 6973 340 40.07 10698 65.18 14 31 910 59 78 0
T20Is 31 30 3 629 88 23.29 487 129.15 0 4 76 23 4 0
ODIs 445 433 18 13430 189 32.36 14725 91.2 28 68 1500 270 123 0
FC 265 419 33 14819 340 38.39 - - 29 70 - - 162 0
List A 557 542 25 16128 189 31.19 - - 31 82 - - 153 0
T20s 111 109 7 2317 114* 22.71 1654 140.08 1 12 252 114 21 0

Bowling stats

Bowling Matches Innings Balls Runs Wkts BBI BBM Ave Econ SR 4w 5w 10w
Tests 110 140 8188 3366 98 5/34 9/74 34.34 2.46 83.5 6 2 0
T20Is 31 24 371 456 19 3/21 3/21 24 7.37 19.5 0 0 0
ODIs 445 368 14874 11871 323 6/29 6/29 36.75 4.78 46 8 4 0
FC 265 - 15275 6808 205 5/34 - 33.2 2.67 74.5 - 2 0
List A 557 - 18167 14396 413 6/29 6/29 34.85 4.75 43.9 12 5 0
T20s 111 92 1593 1983 77 4/24 4/24 25.75 7.46 20.6 1 0 0

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