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On a batting paradise of a wicket at Galle, Sri Lanka's tour four batters -- Nishan Madushka, skipper Dimuth Karunaratne, Kusal Mendis and Angelo Mathews -- combined to achieve what has been done only twice before in the 146-year-old history of Test cricket. Sri Lanka became the third team whose top four batters have scored a century in a single innings.
In reply to Ireland’s highest Test innings total of 492, Sri Lankan openers shared a 228-run partnership. While Karunaratne scored 115 at a strike rate of 86.47, 23-year-old Madushka went on to score 205. He shared a 268-run partnership for second wicket with Mendis. The no.3 batter scored 245 runs from 291 balls including 11 sixes. Mendis' 245-run knock is also the fourth-highest individual score by a Sri Lanka batter in home conditions.
Mathews batted with an ODI-like strike rate as well. He reached his century from 114 balls. As soon as he breached the three figures, Karunaratne declared the innings. Sri Lanka posted a mammoth total of 704/3 on the board and took a 212-run lead on Day 4.
In the third session, Sri Lankan spinners Prabhath Jayasuriya and Ramesh Mendis got rid of the openers to push Ireland on the back foot. James McCollum scored 10 whereas Peter Moor scored 19 runs. Skipper Andrew Balbirnie were defensive in their approach in the last hour as Ireland were 54/2 at stumps. With eight wickets in hand, Ireland are still trailing by 158 runs.
First instance
The feat was achieved for the first time by India in 2007 against Bangladesh. Dinesh Karthik (129) and Wasim Jaffer (138) opened the innings and scored centuries. Skipper Rahul Dravid scored 129 whereas Sachin Tendulkar remained not out for 122 to create the record. India posted 610/3 in the first innings and won the Test by an innings and 239 runs.
Second instance
12 year later, Pakistan achieved it against Sri Lanka in Karachi. Shan Masood (135), Abid Ali (174), skipper Azhar Ali (118) and Babar Azam (100) combined to repeat the feat. Pakistan ended up winning the Test by a big margin of 263 runs.
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