Sri Lanka Sets Unusual Team Batting Record in Chattogram
In an unusual turn of events, Sri Lanka’s cricket team set a unique record in the second Test against Bangladesh in Chattogram, a part of the ICC World Test Championship.
Despite not having a single batter score a century, Sri Lanka managed to amass a total of 531 runs in the first innings. This is the highest total ever recorded in a Test innings without a hundred.
Six out of the top seven Sri Lankan batters scored half-centuries, but none could reach the triple-figure mark. The highest score was 93 by Kusal Mendis, closely followed by Kamindu Mendis who scored 92 not out. Kamindu fell short of his third consecutive Test century by just eight runs as the team was bowled out.
The six half-centuries in the Sri Lankan innings propelled their total to an impressive 531. #WTC25 | #BANvSL : https://t.co/SWOpFaCskR pic.twitter.com/wTeMq56feT
This record-breaking innings surpassed the previous highest score of 524/9 declared by India against New Zealand in Kanpur in 1976. In that match too, six Indian batters had scored half-centuries.
Highest Test Totals Without an Individual Hundred
| Team | Total | Opposition | Year | Highest Individual Score |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Sri Lanka | 531 | Bangladesh | 2024 | 93 |
| India | 524/9d | New Zealand | 1976 | 70 |
| Australia | 520/7d | West Indies | 2009 | 99 |
| South Africa | 517 | Australia | 1998 | 87* |
| Pakistan | 500/8d | Australia | 1981 | 95 |
With their formidable total in the first innings, Sri Lanka has positioned themselves as strong favourites to secure a series victory, following their dominant win in the first Test.