SL vs IRE: Prabath Jayasuriya on the cusp of becoming fastest spinner to reach 50 Test wickets

Sri Lanka spinner Prabath Jayasuriya is on course to become the fastest spinner to reach 50 wickets in Test since his debut in 2022. Prabath returned with magnificent bowling figures of 5/174 against Ireland in the first innings of the second Test match in Galle. The Lankan spinner has got 48 wickets in Test cricket in just seven red-ball outings.

Alf Valentine, West Indies’ left-arm spinner, attained the impressive record in just eight Test matches. However, considering that a second innings will be played in Galle against the Irish side, Prabath could set a new record, eclipsing Valentine in his seventh Test (13 innings). The 31-year-old spinner will be on level terms with the likes of South Africa pacer Vernon Philander and England’s Tom Richardson to reach the 50-wicket mark in record quick time.

Prabath made a lasting impression on his debut against Australia in July 2022 as the spinner was adjudged Player of the Match in Sri Lanka’s win by an innings and 39 runs with figures of 6/118 and 6/59 in the two innings. Since then, he has claimed five-wicket haul six times (including the ongoing second Ireland Test), a four-wicket haul once and a 10-wicket haul twice.

Prabath Jayasuriya marks major gains in ICC Test Rankings 

It is worth mentioning that the young spinner relished a brilliant outing against the Irish side in the first Test. Prabath got 10 wickets (7/52 and 3/56) in the first Test and was adjudged Player of the Match in the Islanders’ comprehensive win by an innings and 280 runs in Galle.

Following his impressive outing in the first Test, he marked major gains in ICC Men's Test Bowling Rankings as he jumped 13 places and is currently ranked at the 19th spot. Prabath will look to maintain his purple patch and eclipse Valentine’s record in the second innings against Ireland.