5 Highest individual scores in Test cricket

Mahela Jayawardane (374)

Mahela Jayawardane’s batting was poetry set in motion. The Sri Lankan stalwart made the art of batsmanship seem ridiculously easy. A lazy backlift, an elegant follow-through combined with the uncanny ability to knit pick gaps. Mahela Jayawardene’s 374 is the highest test score by a Sri Lankan batsman and has been untainted through the passage of time.

In 2006, a year in which he was trusted to lead the side scored, this majestic knock came against South Africa. Batting first, South Africa was bundled out for just 169 runs on a sluggish track. South Africa managed to reduce the Lankan lions to 14 for 2, but what followed was history in the making.

The duo of Kumar Sangakara and Mahela Jayawardene punished a hapless South African bowling attack that had the likes of Ntini, Andre Nel, and Dale Steyn. In the process, he also became eclipsed the record of the highest partnership (624) in Test cricket for any wicket the previous best being 576 runs between Sanath Jayasuriya and RS Mahanama. South Africa tried to fight back in the 3rd innings with a total of 434, but the result was a mere formality. Sri Lanka won by an innings and 153 runs.