Best match figures by Sri Lankan bowlers on Test debut
Debutant off-spinner Nishan Peiris was instrumental to Sri Lanka's innings win over New Zealand in the final Test in Galle. After dismissing three batters in his first outing, Peiris claimed a six-fer. He became the third SL bowler to take at least nine wickets in his maiden Test. Here we look at the best match figures by a Lankan bowler on Test debut.
Prabath Jayasuriya - 12/177 vs Australia, 2022
Left-arm spinner Prabath Jayasuriya made his Test debut against Australia in 2022 and made an instant impact. He claimed six-fers across both innings as his match figures of 12/177 are the best for a Lankan bowler on debut, as per ESPNcricinfo. His efforts meant the Lankans registered a massive win by an innings and 39 runs.
Praveen Jayawickrama - 11/178 vs Bangladesh, 2021
Praveen Jayawickrama was the first Sri Lankan to claim 10 or more wickets on Test debut. The left-arm spinner achieved this feat during the 2021 Pallekele match against Bangladesh. After claiming 6/92 in his first outing, Jayawickrama took another fifer in his second outing to finish with figures worth 11/178. Riding on his efforts, SL recorded a comfortable 209-run triumph.
Nishan Peiris - 9/203 vs New Zealand, 2024
Peiris, who claimed 3/33 in his first outing, returned with 6/170 in his second outing. The off-spinner dismissed Tom Latham for a duck in the opening over. Kane Williamson and Rachin Ravindra were his other victims on Day 3. On Day 4, he trapped half-centurions Tom Blundell, Glenn Phillips, and Mitchell Santner. His efforts meant SL won by an innings and 154 runs.
Ajantha Mendis and Akila Dananjaya - 8/132 and 8/44
Spinners Ajantha Mendis and Akila Dananjaya are the only other SL bowlers to claim at least eight wickets on Test debut. The former claimed 8/132 in SL's innings win over India in the 2008 Colombo Test. He claimed twin four-fers. Dananjaya registered 8/44 as SL beat Bangladesh by 215 runs in the 2018 Mirpur match. This includes a fourth-inning fifer.
