Milan Rathnayake shatters Indian cricketer's 41-year-old record in Tests

Sri Lanka debutant Milan Rathnayake broke a 41-year-old Test record by putting up the highest score by a batter at the number 9 spot in men's red-ball cricket.

The 28-year-old surpassed India's Balwinder Sandhu's record of 71, a splendid knock that came against Pakistan in Hyderabad in 1983. On the opening day of the first Test between Sri Lanka and England in Manchester, the visitors put up a valiant fight, and Rathnayake was at the centre stage of all the action.

On his Test debut, Rathnayake came out to bat at number nine when England's clinical bowling attack had reduced them to 113/7. The pace duo of Chris Woakes (3/32) and Gus Atkinson (2/48) played a substantial role in ripping apart Sri Lanka's top order.

Rathnayake relied on his composure and racked up 72 off 135 deliveries, which propelled Sri Lanka to 236 before the opening day of the series opener concluded.

Rathnayake joined hands with Sri Lanka captain Dhananjaya de Silva at the crease and forged a 63-run partnership for the 8th wicket.

Rathnayake's valiant effort came to an end after young spinner Shoaib Bashir was introduced into the attack.

With a tossed-up delivery, Bashir invited Rathnayake to go for a drive shot. The Sri Lankan batter went for the aerial route but failed to get the desired elevation on his shot. Woakes, at mid-on, took a comfortable catch to send the Sri Lankan back to the dressing room.

The innings by Rathnayake was the best by any batter at No.9 on Test debut, surpassing the previous highest of 71 by India's Balwinder Sandhu against Pakistan in Hyderabad in 1983.

Highest score by men's Test debutant batting at No.9


Milan Rathnayake (Sri Lanka) 72 England (2024)
Balwinder Sandhu (India) 71 Pakistan (1983)
Darren Gough (England) 65 New Zealand (1994)
Monde Zondeki (South Africa) 59 England (2003)
Wilf Ferguson (West Indies) 56* England (1948)

Milan Rathnayake the 28-year-old was previously selected in Sri Lanka's squad for their one-off Test against Afghanistan, but had not made the starting XI until now. He has played 39 first-class games in his career and taken 79 wickets, and also has a highest score of 59. He will form part of what is likely to be a pace-heavy attack.

Playing in Sri Lanka's warm-up match against England Lions last week, Rathnayake took 1-65 in the first innings and 1-24 in the second as the tourists slumped to a seven-wicket defeat.

Born in Kurunegala, Rathnayake played domestic cricket in Sri Lanka before moving to Australia to pursue his career. He returned to Sri Lanka during the COVID pandemic and put in some impressive performances. In the 2023 domestic season, he averaged 29 with the balls with an innings best of 4-50.

Prior to that season, he also featured in Sri Lanka's Test squad for their tour of New Zealand following an impressive performance against against England Lions, where he took four wickets in the only unofficial Test he played in.