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Last updated: 22 November, 2009 - Published 14:32 GMT
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Mahela world's best Test batsman
Mahela (r) and Prasanna Jayawardene during the first Test at Ahmedabad
The sixth wicket partnership between two Jayawardenes; Mahela and Prasanna, created a new world record

Sri Lanka’s former Test cricket captain Mahela Jayawardena has replaced his own captain Kumar Sangakkara as the world’s best Test batsman.

It is the first time in his career that Jayawardena achieved the number-one ranking in the ICC Player Rankings for Test batsmen.

His achievement comes after scoring 275 in the drawn first Test against India at Ahmedabad earlier this week.

It is his sixth double-century in 108 Tests.

9000 Test runs

He also became only the ninth batsman to complete 9,000 Test runs, is just 17 points short of becoming only the 25th batsman overall to reach the 900-point mark which, in ranking terms, is the benchmark for top batsmen, according to a statement by the ICC.

Sachin Tendulkar
Tendulkar marked his 20th anniversary Test in Ahmedabad

Before Jayawardena, Australia’s Mike Hussey was the last batsman to reach the 900-point mark in the 131-year history of Test cricket.

While India's Sachin Tendulkar marked his 20th anniversary Test, Sri Lanka also had their share in creating new records.

Mahela Jayawardena and wicket keeper Prasanna Jayawardene, not relatives, scored 351 runs between them for the sixth wicket, breaking a 72 year old record of 346 runs between Don Bradman and Jack Fingleton made for Australia against England in 1937.

Sri Lanka's score of 760 in the first innings against India is the highest first innings total scored by any team on Indian soil.

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Sri Lankan cricketers smash world record
19 November, 2009 | Sandeshaya
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