The Sri Lankan cricket team represents Sri Lanka in international cricket. In 1975, this team played international cricket for the first time and was granted Test status in 1981, becoming the eighth playing Test country. Before 1972, the country was known as Ceylon, and this side participated in the M.J. Gopalan Trophy matches.
The greatest moment for Sri Lankan cricket was when they won the 1996 World Cup by defeating Australia, a top-ranked team, in the final. The game style of Sri Lankan cricket was marked by highly aggressive batting during the first fifteen overs, revolutionizing One Day International cricket. The strategy of the Sri Lankan batsmen became the hallmark of one-day cricket.
Sri Lanka also put on a good performance in the 2006 NatWest series. Although the services of Muttiah Muralitharan and Marvan Atapattu were absent, Sanath Jayasuriya along with Chaminda Vaas, Tillakratne Dilshan, Russel Arnold, Kumar Sangakkara, Mahela Jayawardene, Upul Tharanga, Farveez Maharoof, Dilhara Fernando, and Lasith Malinga put up a good show. Sri Lanka managed a 5-0 whitewash of England which was its worst home defeat in 13 years. The Man of the Match as well as Man of the Series awards were given to Sanath Jayasuriya.
| Country |
Sri Lanka
|
| Founded | 1935 |
| Nickname | The Lions |
| Captain | Frank Karunaratne |
| Coach | Chris Silverwood |
| Website | cricket.lk |
| Follow This Team | |
Since then, the team continued as a major force in international cricket, with ups and downs in certain periods. The Sri Lanka team did well to reach the finals of the 2007 Cricket World Cup but lost to Australia in a rain-affected match to become the runners up.
Major Achievements
- 50-over World Cup winners, 1996
- World’s highest total in a Test match: 952-6 vs. India.
