A look at six Sri Lankan cricketers to play 100 Test Matches for their country

Test cricket is considered as the pinnacle of the game as every player dreams to represent his country one day in the cricket's most respected format even today. Many cricketers have graced the most testing format of the game for a long time in their cricketing careers.

The landmark of playing 100 Test matches in international cricket is much-coveted one as not many have been able to achieve this feat. Any player who ends up being in the exclusive club of representing his nation for over 100 Test matches, is considered a legend of the game. Here’s looking at the top 6 cricketers from Sri Lanka who achieved this remarkable feat for their country:

1. Mahela Jayawardene: 149 Tests

Mahela Jayawardene (Source: Twitter)

Mahela Jayawardene was the backbone of Sri Lanka in the first decade of the 20^th century. The Sri Lankan batter took the team out of trouble on many occasions as he occupied the crease for long hours in Test cricket. In 149 Tests, Jayawardene amassed 11814 runs at an average of 49.8 scoring 34 hundreds and 50 fifties in his illustrious career of 149 Tests.

2. Kumar Sangakkara: 134 Tests

Kumar Sangakkara (Source: Twitter)

The elegant left-hander, Sangakkara is considered the finest batsman to hail from Sri Lanka. Sangakkara along with Jayawardene steered the Sri Lankan ship to safe shores on many occasions in his career.

The duo broke the record of scoring the most runs in a partnership in the history of Test cricket for any wicket as they added 624 runs together against South Africa. The left-hander scored 12,400 runs in 134 Tests at a magnificent average of 57.4 with 38 hundreds and 52 fifties to his name in 134 Tests.

3. Muttiah Muralitharan: 133 Tests

Muttiah Muralitharan (Source: Twitter)

Muralitharan is the most successful bowler to grace the game of cricket in ODI and Test formats. The off-spinner left many top batters dumbfounded with his spin variations throughout his career. He represented Sri Lanka in 133 Tests, picking up a record 800 wickets at an average of 22.7 and an economy of 2.47 with 67 five-wicket-hauls to his name.

4. Chaminda Vaas: 111 Tests

Chaminda Vaas (Source: Twitter)

Chaminda Vaas is the most successful seam bowler to hail from Sri Lanka in Test cricket. The left-arm seamer troubled many batters in his playing days with his impeccable control on swing. Vaas represented Sri Lanka in 111 matches, picking up 355 wickets at an average of 29.6 with 12 five-wicket-hauls to his name.

5. Sanath Jayasuriya: 110 Tests

Sanath Jayasuriya (Source: Twitter)

Sanath Jayasuriya is regarded as one of the most feared openers in international cricket to have played the game. The flamboyant batter revolutionized the role of an opener after he began giving electrifying starts to his team in both formats of the game. Jayasuriya wreaked havoc on the opposition bowlers as he scored 6973 runs at an average of 40 having 14 hundreds to his name.

6.. Angelo Mathews : 100 Tests

Angelo Mathews (Source: Twitter)

The All-rounder Mathews has also made his entry into the exclusive club of 100 Tests during the ongoing second Test between Sri Lanka and Pakistan. Mathews has been a regular mainstay in the Sri Lankan team for over a decade now and has quietly made his way to the 100 Tests landmark.

In the 100 Tests he’s played, Mathews has scored 6,918 runs at an average of 45.22 having 13 hundreds and 38 half-centuries to his name. He’s also rolled his arm on numerous occasions in the format and has picked up 33 wickets.