The first match of the three-match Test series between England and Sri Lanka is being played at Old Trafford ground in Manchester. On the first day of the match, the Sri Lankan batsmen disappointed and the entire team was all out for just 236 runs. At one point it seemed that the Sri Lankan innings would be limited to just 150 runs, but then with the help of half-centuries by captain Dhananjay de Silva and Milan Rathnayake, the team managed to cross the 200 mark. De Silva scored 74 runs while Milan Rathnayake, who was making his debut in this match, scored 72 runs. With this innings, Milan has broken the 41-year-old world record.
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Milan Rathnayake came to bat at number 9 against England when the team’s score was 113 runs for the loss of 7 wickets. Milan faced 135 balls in his innings and hit 6 fours and 2 towering sixes. This is the highest score ever in Test cricket by any batsman batting at number 9 in a debut match.
Yes, for the last 41 years, this record was in the name of India’s Balwinder Sandhu. This Indian batsman played an innings of 71 runs while batting at number 9 in his debut match against Pakistan in 1983. Milan has broken this record of Balwinder by just one run.
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Highest score while batting at number 9 in debut Test-
Milan Rathnayake (Sri Lanka)- 72 vs England (2024)
Balwinder Sandhu (India)- 71 vs Pakistan (1983)
Darren Gough (England)- 65 vs New Zealand (1994)
Monde Zondeki (South Africa)- 59 vs England (2003)
Wilf Ferguson (West Indies) – 56* vs England (1948)
After Sri Lanka’s innings collapsed at 236 runs, England scored 22 runs in 4 overs without losing any wicket till the end of the day’s play. Ben Duckett is present at the crease with 13 runs and Daniel Lawrence with 9 runs.