Top 3 Test knocks of this decade

#2 Kusal Perera 153* vs South Africa, Durban 2019

Kusal Perera

Battling heavy odds, Kusal Perera essayed one of the greatest Test innings by a Sri Lankan at Durban. Being put into bat on a tricky pitch, the proteas were wrapped up for 235 by Lankan bowlers in the first innings. In reply, the SA pacers troubled the Lankan batsmen with their pace and bounce. Sri Lanka were all out for 191 in the first innings despite Kusal Perera scoring a fighting 51. Dale Steyn picked up 4 wickets and lead the SA pace attack.

In the 2nd innings, the proteas scored 259 with a vital contribution of 90 runs from captain Faf du Plessis. From 95 for 4, he took south Africa to 259 along with wicket-keeper Quinton de Kock.

Chasing 304 for an improbable victory, Sri Lanka found themselves at 226 for 9 staring at the inevitable. An injury to Vernon philander had put pressure on the other South African bowlers. The pitch was having an uneven bounce on day 4 and all other Lankan batsmen except Perera struggled against the SA bowlers.

Perera added 78 runs with last man Vishwa Fernando to take Sri Lanka to a miracle victory. His knock of 153* had all the strokes in the book along with some mighty sixes. A win for Sri Lanka was the least expected result till the moment it happened.

This knock from Perera gave the islanders a much-needed morale boost and they later went onto win their first-ever Test series in South Africa.