";s:4:"text";s:4471:" Sanath Jayasuriya's career experienced a U-turn when he was elevated to the top...Fearless, audacious and turbo-aggressive, Kusal Janith Perera is a firecracker in the Sri Lankan batting unit. This is the highest score by a Sri Lankan in a successful chase and he played the leading role in the highest ever 10th wicket stand in a first class match, but even these facts do no justice to him. Perera's 153 not out was the highest score by a Sri Lankan in a successful chase. Perera would not go gently into that muggy East Coast night. This was a batting display that defied logic. Perera offered the only meaningful resistance against the onslaught, registering 51 before going down swinging as his teammates folded at the other end. But forget about the big picture for a minute. Oshada Fernando was with him on 28. Sri Lanka's final effort with the bat began in predictable fashion and the Islanders headed to the close on Friday three down with 83 on the board. Sri Lanka, Wayamba United, Sri Lanka A, Ruhuna Reds, Rajasthan Royals, Southern Express, Sri Lanka Board Presidents XI, Rangpur Riders, Kandy, Delhi Bulls, Cumilla Warriors Fearless, audacious and turbo-aggressive, Kusal Janith Perera is a firecracker in the Sri Lankan batting unit. The course for the next day was already mapped out.
Against Steyn he encapsulated his brilliance by picking up South Africa's best ever bowler as if he were a village trundler and cannoned the ball for half a dozen on the leg side. Sri Lanka needed 78 runs for an unlikely win over South Africa when they lost their ninth wicket.