He wasn’t called the Matara Mauler for nothing; former Sri Lankan cricket captain and sensational batter who demonstrated brute force with the bat, Sanath Jayasuriya authored a career that was entertaining and exhilarating in equal measure. For someone who ended his international run scoring spree with no fewer than 21,000 runs, which if you think about it, is many many runs, Jayasuriya was often the chief wrecker of bowling attacks and when not, then a premier statesman who epitomised the best that Sri Lanka had to offer. But having said that, cricket is always relevant to certain dates that hold pivotal and unforgettable meaning for so many of its champions. Ditto for one of Sri Lankan talents. So let us pause for a moment to appreciate by February 10 matters so much for this braveheart of the island nation.
On this very day but back in the year 2003, cricket fans witnessed a landmark moment in World Cup history as Sanath Jayasuriya finally etched his name among World Cup centurions.
It was his maiden hundred on the biggest stage — and it came in trademark Jayasuriya style: fearless, explosive, and utterly dominant.
Key stakes and even key stakes The match was part of the ICC Cricket World Cup, hosted in southern Africa. Sri Lanka faced Zimbabwe in Bulawayo, needing momentum early in the tournament. What followed was a reminder that when Jayasuriya got going, no bowling attack felt safe.
The Knock That Defined an Era
Opening the innings, Jayasuriya launched a blistering assault on the Zimbabwean bowlers.
He raced to 100 off just 76 balls, peppering the boundary with powerful cuts, muscular pulls, and those signature lofted drives over mid-off.
Score: 100 Balls faced: 76 Boundaries: A flurry of fours and towering sixes Strike rate: Over 130.
Let that sink in. And this is much prior to the wham-bam T20I era of big hitting, by the way. This wasn’t just a century — it was a statement. The marauding leftie, Sanath Jayasuriya set the tone at the very top, dismantling the opposition before they could settle, embodying the aggressive philosophy that revolutionized opening batting in limited-overs cricket.
Why this particular Century Mattered despite it belonging to one of the most destructive ODI batters of all time was the very fact that a World Cup hundred had long eluded Jayasuriya.
That drought ended on February 10, 2003, and the relief was visible. And for all to see!
Truth be told, the roar of the crowd, the raised bat, and the calm smile told a story of validation — a great player finally ticking off a missing milestone.
