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Another golden debut
Wisden CricInfo staff - August 31, 2001
Thilan Samaraweera, who was chosen for this match as an offspinner who could bat a bit, belied the bit part by becoming only the third Sri Lankan to score a century on Test debut, following Brendon Kuruppu (201* v New Zealand, Colombo - Premadasa, 1986-87) and Romesh Kaluwitharana (132* v Australia, Colombo - Saravanamuttu, 1992-93).
This is the first time that Sri Lanka have had four centurions in the same innings. There have been five other instances by other countries, as well as two instances of five in an innings – one of those by Pakistan against Bangladesh in the Test which started on the same day as this one.
Muttiah Muralitharan's 8 for 87 is a record for Sri Lanka-India Tests (previously 7 for 51 by Maninder Singh for India at Nagpur in 1986-87) and a new ground record at Colombo's Sinhalese Sports Club (previously 6 for 64 by Daniel Vettori for New Zealand in 1997-98). It is the second time that Murali has taken eight wickets in a Test innings, after his 9 for 65 at The Oval in 1998. The Indians probably won't want to be reminded that Murali took 16 wickets in total in that Oval match.
© Wisden CricInfo Ltd
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