Amir Janju joined Brian Lara and Chris Gayle in the record books after becoming the third West Indies player to score a double century in a Test match against Sri Lanka. The feat came during the first innings of the ongoing first Test at the Sir Vivian Richards Stadium in North Sound, Antigua.The 28-year-old wicketkeeper-batsman, who played only his second Test for the West Indies, reached his maiden hundred while batting at number four. He needed 342 balls to reach the landmark and completed the double century with a single off the first ball of the 142nd over, bowled by Sonal Dinosha.
Jangoo had earlier scored a century on his ODI debut for West Indies, and his latest knock has now added another milestone to his international career.Brian Lara was the first West Indies batsman to score a double century against Sri Lanka in Test cricket. He made 221 off 354 balls during the Test at the Sinhala Sports Club in Colombo from 29 November to 3 December 2001.Lara added another double century against Sri Lanka in June 2003 in Gros Islet, Saint Lucia, scoring 209 off 360 balls in the first innings.Chris Gayle later produced one of the highest scores in Test cricket against Sri Lanka when he made 333 off 437 balls at Galle in November 2010.
Gayle’s score of 333 remains the highest individual score in a Test against Sri Lanka. Apart from Gayle, only Pakistani Younis Khan has scored a triple century against Sri Lanka in Test cricket. The former Pakistan captain made 313 off 568 balls during the Test played at the National Stadium in Karachi from February 21 to 25, 2009.Jangoo’s innings also helped West Indies build a strong position in the match. He and captain Roston Chase shared the highest sixth-wicket partnership in Test cricket before the hosts declared their first innings on 626 for 9, taking a 318-run lead over Sri Lanka on day three.Sri Lanka had to negotiate four overs before stumps on day three. They lost opener Pathum Nissanka in the second over and ended the day at 15 for 1, still trailing by 303 runs. Kasun Rajitha is unbeaten at 4, while Nishan Madushka remains outside at 2.
