| Sanath Jayasuriya will not be remembered as a | | | | hand for a late assault, but Sri Lanka's pinch hitters |
| legend of the game, but he perhaps should be. There | | | | blazed away from the start, taking full advantage of |
| have been some notable retirements in recent times | | | | the fielding restrictions that were in place during the |
| (Glenn McGrath, Shane Warne and Brian Lara to | | | | opening overs. |
| name just three) but the little opener from Matara | | | | This tactic became the batting blueprint in ODIs, |
| deserves to be held in similar company. | | | | although no one could carry out the plan as |
| He is of course still going strong in One Day | | | | Jayasuriya has done. He is the second highest ever |
| Internationals (he signed off from Tests last | | | | ODI runscorer and in consideration of his 307 |
| December with a typically attacking half century) , so | | | | wickets, is perhaps the greatest ever all rounder in |
| it is a little early for a career review. However, | | | | the 50 over format. Three of the fastest ever ODI |
| Jayasuriya's longevity (he made his international debut | | | | tons have come from his bat and his 17 ball half |
| in 1989) earns special recognition, as his career does | | | | century against Pakistan in 1996 is the fastest ever |
| more than span eras; he helped start a whole new | | | | 50. No one has hit more ODI sixes. |
| one in cricket. | | | | Jayasuriya managed to transfer this form into the |
| Few will forget his impact at the 1996 world cup. | | | | Test arena. He is Sri Lanka's second highest Test |
| Previously a lower order batsman and useful left arm | | | | runscorer and third highest wicket taker. He holds the |
| spinner, he forged a devastating opening partnership | | | | seventh highest ever Test score and was a |
| with Romesh Kaluwitharana that revolutionised the | | | | successful captain for four years, maintaining the |
| way ODI cricket is played. Standard wisdom dictated | | | | progress Sri Lanka made under Arjuna Ranatunga. |
| openers should accumulate runs and keep wickets in | | | | |