Sri Lanka’s Prabath Jayasuriya turned the quickest spin bowler in Test historical past to assert 50 wickets on Friday in Galle, breaking a seven-decade report.
The left-armer reached the milestone on day 5 in opposition to Ireland, solely Jayasuriya’s seventh Test, when he had first-innings centurion Paul Stirling caught by a diving Kusal Mendis at quick additional cowl.
The 31-year-old Jayasuriya got here into the match with 43 wickets. He took 5 wickets in Ireland’s first innings and dismissed Peter Moor on day 4 of their second.
The earlier quickest spinner to the 50-wicket mark was West Indian nice Alf Valentine, who reached the mark in eight Tests.
Jayasuriya is the joint second-quickest to 50 Test scalps amongst all bowlers.
Australian quick bowler Charlie Turner acquired there in six Tests in 1888.
Fellow fast Englishman Tom Richardson and South African seamer Vernon Philander took seven matches to succeed in it in 1896 and 2012 respectively.
Here are the bowlers quickest to succeed in to 50 Test wickets-
| Players | Number of matches |
| Charlie Turner (Australia) | 6 |
| Tom Richardson (England) | 7 |
| Vernon Philander (England) | 7 |
| Prabath Jayasuriya (Sri Lanka) | 7 |
Source: sportstar.thehindu.com