Jayasuriya scored 13430 runs in 445 One-Day Internationals for Sri Lanka. In ODI cricket, he also has 28 hundreds and 68 fifties. The famous batsman also represented Sri Lanka in 110 Tests, scoring over 7000 runs. He amassed 629 runs with a strike rate of nearly 130 in the T20I format of the game. Let us take a look at the top 5 best performances of the Sri Lankan cricketing legend, who is 52 today.
5) 148 Vs South Africa (Tests)
Sanath Jayasuriya struck a brilliant 148 from 156 deliveries in July 2000, destroying a South African bowling attack that included legends like Shaun Pollock, Makhaya Ntini, and Lance Klusener. His century contributed to his team's total of 522 runs. He hit 24 fours and a six in his inning.
In both innings, South Africa's batting performance was dismal. After being bowled out for 238 in their first innings, the Proteas could only muster 269 in their second innings, losing by an innings and 15 runs against Sri Lanka.
4) 152 Vs England (ODIs)
Sri Lanka made a mockery of England's tough aim of 322 on July 1, 2006, thanks to Sanath Jayasuriya's devastating 152 off just 99 deliveries. Jayasuriya and fellow opener Upul Tharanga, who hit 109, shared a match-winning opening stand of 286 runs. On that day, Jayasuriya was unstoppable, and England was caught off guard.
3) 213 Vs England (Tests)
Sanath Jayasuriya thrashed England's bowling assault on foreign land at the Kennington Oval. Sri Lanka scored 591 in response to England's 445 in the first innings, thanks to Jayasuriya's 278-ball 213. He hit 33 fours and a six in his innings. England were bowled out for 181 in their second innings, giving Sri Lanka a 10-wicket victory.
2) 189 Vs India (ODIs)
In ODI cricket, this is the greatest individual score by a Sri Lankan batsman. At the top of the order, Sanath Jayasuriya smashed 189 off 161 deliveries against India. His breathtaking onslaught was laced with 21 fours and four magnificent sixes. The Sri Lankan team scored 299 runs because to Jayasuriya's outstanding performance. The Indian side was bowled out for a total of just 54 in reply, as Sri Lanka hammered their opponents by a gargantuan margin of 245 runs.
1) 340 Vs India (Tests)
The biggest wicket of Sanath Jayasuriya's famous career came against India in 1997. India batted first in this Test match, scoring 537 runs. Sri Lanka responded with a mammoth total of 952/6, which is the greatest total ever recorded by any side in Test match cricket history. At the helm of this carnage was Jayasuriya, who smashed 340 runs off 578 deliveries.