Sri Lankan Cricketers Complete The Sri Lanka cricket team was granted Test status in 1981 and played its first Test match in 1982 against England in Colombo.
During the initial decade of their Test journey, they struggled to find success. However, the team became highly competitive in the 1990s and 2000s. Their fortunes took a sharp downturn in the mid-2010s following the retirement of several legendary players.
Over the past decade, Sri Lanka’s Test team has been in a state of decline, suffering defeats both at home and abroad.
To date, 167 players have represented Sri Lanka in Test cricket, but only a handful have had careers long enough to reach the milestone of 100 Test matches.
7. Dimuth Karunaratne – 100 Tests
Former Sri Lankan captain Dimuth Karunaratne became the latest player from his country to reach the milestone of 100 Test matches. Interestingly, his 100th Test—against Australia in Galle, the same venue where he made his Test debut in 2012—also turned out to be his final match.
The left-handed opener scored 7,208 runs at an average of 39, including 16 centuries and 39 half-centuries. He holds the record for the most Test runs by a Sri Lankan opener.
6. Sanath Jayasuriya – 110 Tests
Sanath Jayasuriya made his Test debut in 1991 and went on to play 110 matches, with his final appearance coming in 2007. Known for his attacking batting, he accumulated 6,973 runs at an average of 40, including 14 centuries, making him Sri Lanka’s fifth-highest run-scorer in Tests.
Jayasuriya was also a handy bowler, taking 98 Test wickets, including two five-wicket hauls.
5. Chaminda Vaas – 111 Tests
Chaminda Vaas holds the record for playing the most Tests by a Sri Lankan fast bowler, featuring in 111 matches. The left-arm seamer took 355 wickets—Sri Lanka’s third-highest in Tests.
He registered 12 five-wicket hauls in an innings and two ten-wicket match hauls. Despite being a fast bowler, Vaas enjoyed a remarkably long Test career from 1994 to 2009.
4. Angelo Mathews – 117 Tests
One of Sri Lanka’s most underrated cricketers, Angelo Mathews has been a key figure in the Test side since making his debut in 2009. A senior player through the team’s transitional phase, he remains an important member of the squad.
Mathews has played 117 Tests so far, amassing 8,090 runs at an average of 44, including 16 centuries. He is Sri Lanka’s third-highest run-scorer in Test cricket and has also contributed with 33 wickets.
3. Muthiah Muralitharan – 132 Tests
Sri Lanka, along with one match for the ICC World XI in 2005. His Test career spanned from 1992 to 2010, during which he became the highest wicket-taker in the format’s history.
Muralitharan claimed an astounding 800 Test wickets—five of them for ICC World XI—including a record 67 five-wicket hauls.
2. Kumar Sangakkara – 134 Tests
Former captain Kumar Sangakkara is Sri Lanka’s all-time leading Test run-scorer. In 134 matches, the elegant left-hander amassed 12,400 runs at an impressive average of 57, smashing 38 centuries.
Sangakkara made his Test debut in 2000 and retired in 2015 while still performing at a high level.
1. Mahela Jayawardene – 149 Tests
Former captain and middle-order stalwart Mahela Jayawardene holds the record for the most Test appearances for Sri Lanka. Over his illustrious 17-year career from 1997 to 2014, he played 149 Test matches.
Jayawardene is Sri Lanka’s second-highest Test run-scorer, accumulating 11,814 runs at an average of 49, with 34 centuries to his name.