De Silva - one century short of record ( 6 Dec 1997)

Friday 05, December 1997

Aravinda-one century short of setting up new world record

By SA'ADI THAWFEEQ

Sri Lanka vice-captain Aravinda de Silva currently going through a purple patch with the bat, is one century short of establishing a new world record for the highest number of Test centuries in a calendar year.

De Silva went past former England batsman Denis Compton's record of six Test centuries in a calendar year (1947) with his match-saving knock of 110 not out in the first Test against India at Mohali. He is now on par with former West Indian `great' Viv Richards, who hit seven Test centuries in 1976 whilst compiling a record aggregate of 1710 runs from 11 Tests (19 innings).

De Silva had his chance of breaking Richards' record cut short when rain prevented Sri Lanka from batting in the second Test at Nagpur.

De Silva may have only one other chance (or possibly two), to establish the new record as the current Test against India at Mumbai is the final one for Sri Lanka for the year.

It is very unlikely that anyone will overhaul Richards' aggregate for a calendar year. Sri Lanka's `Master Blaster' Sanath Jayasuriya is the leading run-getter for the current year with 1184 runs from 10 Tests (17 innings) followed by De Silva with 1136 runs from 10 Tests (17 innings).

They have been joined by Australia's Greg Blewett, who became the third batsman to cross the 1000-run mark for 1997 during the recently concluded third Test against New Zealand at Hobart. Blewett's current tally stands at 1035 runs from 14 Tests (23 innings).

Source :: Daily News (https://www.lanka.net)