Presenting SL pace-attacks with most wickets in a Test series
Sri Lankan pacers have made a significant mark in the ongoing three-match away Test series against England. The Lankan fast bowlers scalped a total of 45 wickets in the series as many of the England batters had a hard time. Here we look at the bilateral Test series that saw SL pacers take 40 or more wickets.
52 vs India, 1985
The only Test series that saw SL fast bowlers take 50-plus wickets was against India at home in 1985. The pacers from the home team claimed a total of 52 wickets across three matches as SL recorded a 1-0 triumph. With 20 wickets at 22.95, Rumesh Ratnayake was the highest wicket-taker of that series. His fellow pacer Saliya Ahangama trailed him with 18 scalps.
45 vs England, 2024
As mentioned, the Lankan pacers claimed 45 wickets in the aforementioned three-match Test series against the Brits. With 17 wickets at 24.64, Asitha Fernando leads the wicket-taking chart for the visitors. Milan Rathnayake (10 at 32.10), and Lahiru Kumara (11 at 24.72) were the other chief contributors. Notably, SL fielded a four-man pace attack without a spinner in the third Test at The Oval.
41 vs New Zealand, 1990/91
The Lankan pacers were on fire in the 1990/91 away Test tour of New Zealand. They scalped 41 wickets as all three games were drawn. Rumesh Ratnayake starred in that series with 13 wickets at 32.31. Graeme Labrooy also claimed 13 wickets at an even better average of 27.46. Champaka Ramanayake took 11 wickets though his average of 42.55 was a bit higher.
40 vs West Indies, 2018
SL's three-match away Test series against West Indies in 2018 resulted in a 1-1 draw. The Lankan pacers were on a roll in that series as well, scalping 40 wickets. With 17 scalps at 19.88, Lahiru Kumara was the leading wicket-taker for SL. Suranga Lakmal trailed him with 12 wickets at 21.83. Kasun Rajitha claimed 11 scalps in that series at 14.55.
