SL Debutant Breaks 41-Year-Old Test Record

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Sri Lanka debutant Milan Rathnayake scripted history in the first Test against England at Old Trafford, Manchester.

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Rathnayake broke a 41-year-old record by putting up the highest score by a debutant at the number 9 spot in Tests.

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The 28-year-old surpassed India's Balwinder Sandhu's previous record of 71 against Pakistan in Hyderabad (1983).

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He achieved the feat on the opening day of the first Test between Sri Lanka and England in Manchester.

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The debutant came out to bat at number nine when England's clinical bowling attack had reduced them to 113/7.

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Rathnayake relied on his composure and racked up 72 off 135 deliveries, which propelled Sri Lanka to 236.

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Rathnayake joined hands with captain Dhananjaya de Silva at the crease and forged a 63-run stand for the 8th wicket.

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Rathnayake's valiant effort came to an end after young spinner Shoaib Bashir was introduced into the attack.

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