Test cricket is hailed as the purest form of cricket as it tests a cricketer in every aspect of the game. It tests your patience, technique, skill and temperament.
Playing Test cricket in SENA countries i.e., South Africa, England, New Zealand and Australia is extremely difficult for the batters. The pitches here are suited for fast bowlers and it tests a batter’s technique and mental aptitude.
On the other hand, pitches are rather flat in the sub-continent and fans get to witness teams putting up big totals on these kinds of pitches. Over the years, teams have scored big scores on sub-continent pitches and the record for the biggest total being scored in Test cricket was also played on a sub-continent pitch.
Sri Lanka’s 952 runs against India in 1997 Remains the Highest Total in Test Cricket
Sri Lanka holds the record for scoring the biggest total ever in a Test match innings. The Island nation powered their way to score a mammoth total of 952 runs for the loss of 6 wickets at R Premadasa Stadium in Colombo.
Sri Lanka and India squared up against each other in the first match of the two-match Test series at R Premadasa Stadium in Colombo. As many as six centuries were scored in that Test but it was Sanath Jayasuriya, who stole all the limelight.
Indian skipper, Sachin Tendulkar opted to bat first after winning the toss. India had last Nayan Mongia early for just 7 runs under his name. However, what followed was three centuries from the likes of Navjot Singh Sidhu (111), Sachin Tendulkar (143), and Mohammad Azharuddin (126).
The trio powered their way to help India reach a mammoth total of 537 runs on the board for the loss of 8 wickets. In reply, Sri Lanka lost their first wicket in the form of Marvan Atapathu (26) for 39 runs on the board.
But, what followed was absolute carnage. Sanath Jayasuriya joined hands with Roshan Mahanama and the duo tormented Indian bowlers. They stitched a massive 576-run partnership for the second wicket, which remained the highest-ever partnership in Test cricket before Jayawardene and Sangakkara broke it in 2006.
Sanath Jayasuriya Smashed Triple Century
Jayasuriya went on to hit his maiden triple-century in Test cricket, while his partner Mahanama also played a stellar knock of 225 runs in 561 deliveries. Sanath Jayasuriya recorded his highest-ever score in Test cricket, amassing 340 off 578 balls.
Later, Aravinda de Silva scored the sixth century in that Test match as he blazed his way to 126 off 211 deliveries. The lower-order batters, namely Arjuna Ranatunga (86) and Mahela Jayawardene (66) continued to frustrate Indian bowlers with pivotal knocks as India failed to bundle out Sri Lanka.
In the end, the Island nation declared at 952 for 6 in 271 overs.
Read More: 4 Indian Players Named In ICC Men’s T20I Team Of The Year
