7 highest opening partnerships in ODIs

#2 Upul Tharanga and Sanath Jayasuriya

Sometimes, players just find the right place and right time to exist. And that has certainly been the case with Upul Tharanga, who has been appointed the new Sri Lankan ODI captain following Angelo Mathews' injury during the T20I series against South Africa.

A measure of just how fortunate he is can be seen from the fact that he has been involved in double-century opening partnerships with three different players and features five times in the top 21 highest ODI partnerships. And it is no surprise to see him take top spot, this time courtesy of his exploits alongside Sanath Jayasuriya against England at Leeds in 2006.

When England made 321 after winning the toss and electing to bat, they might have been forgiven for thinking that they had one foot on victory. But what they didn't count on was a world record opening partnership of 286 runs between Jayasuriya and Tharanga that came in just 31.5 overs.

Tharanga scored 109 at better than run-a-ball but that paled in comparison to his batting partner, who smashed a 99-ball 152 that not only set up Sri Lanka's whitewash but also ensured that they chased down 322 with 8 wickets and 75 balls to spare. And 11 years since the record was set in a run chase, no one has broken. But how much longer will it last?