Last Updated on 4 months by Charbel Coorey

Milan Rathnayake received his Test cap from Sri Lanka legend Kumar Sangakkara. A few hours later, Rathnakaye played an outstanding innings of 72 to rescue his team from a precarious position. At the end of day one, England finished on 22/0 in response to Sri Lanka’s 236 – a score they would have taken with both hands after falling to 6/3, 92/6 and 113/7.

Rathnayake combined with captain Dhananjaya de Silva (74) for a 63-run stand. The debutant wasn’t finished there, lifting the Sri Lankans to a respectable total on a Manchester pitch offering alarming variable bounce at times.

What is the highest score by a number 9 on Test debut? A look at the top 5

Where does Rathnayake’s effort stand among the highest scores by a number 9 batsman on Test debut? Here is a look at the top five such scores in history. 

5. Wilfred Ferguson 56* – WI vs ENG 1948

Way back in January 1948, Wilfred Ferguson struck an unbeaten 56 in the second innings against England. Walking in at 252/7 with the West Indies leading by 295, Ferguson helped lift his team to 351/9d to leave England needing 395 for victory.

The legspin bowler and right-handed batsman went on to take 34 wickets and score 200 runs in eight Tests.

4. Monde Zondeki 59 – SA vs ENG 2003

The talented Monde Zondeki made his first big impression in Tests with the bat. Against England at Headingley in 2003, Zondeki combined with Gary Kirsten to add 150 for the eighth wicket after the Proteas fell to 142/7.

James Anderson, who only retired in the summer of 2024, broke the partnership by dismissing Zondeki. Unfortunately for Zondeki, he picked up a side injury early in his bowling spell and was out for the remainder of the series. However, it did not stop the Proteas from winning the Test with Kirsten (130 and 60) named player of the match.

3. Darren Gough 65 – ENG vs NZ 1994

England were in trouble in the third Test of their 1994 home series against New Zealand. Leading 1-0 heading into the final match, England fell to 235/7 in the face of disciplined bowling by the Black Caps. With Mike Atherton (111) back in the pavilion, New Zealand could sense a quick finish.

However, debutant Darren Gough had other ideas. Gough dug deep for 65 off 126 balls in 157 minutes to keep New Zealand at bay. He combined for a 130-run stand with Phil DeFreitas (69), who also went on to take 3/61 and 3/60 to win player of the match.

The Test ended in a draw and England took the series 1-0.

2. Balwinder Sandhu 71 – IND vs PAK 1983

India were in all sorts of trouble when debutant Balwinder Sandhu walked in to bat on Test debut. Pakistan, led by Imran Khan, ripped through the Indian batting lineup to leave them 72/7 in response to a mammoth 581/3.

After bowling 33 overs in the first innings, Sandhu played an attacking innings with the bat, hitting 71 off just 88 balls. He and Mohinder Amarnath (61) were the only two players to cross 20, and they combined for a 59-run stand.

However, it wasn’t enough to spark a turnaround, with Pakistan going on to win the fourth Test by an innings and 119 runs. The six-match series ended 3-0 in Pakistan’s favour.

1. Milan Rathnayake 72 – SL vs ENG 2024

Sandhu’s record lasted more than 41 years until Milan Rathnayake turned up. The left-hander produced strokeplay any top order player would be proud of in an innings filled with grit and substance.

Along with solid defence, Rathnayake hit six fours and two sixes in his 135-ball stay on a tricky pitch and slow outfield. If that confidence can translate to his pace bowling, Sri Lanka could very well have a fine player on their hands.