Sri Lanka legend Sanath Jayasuriya has become an Honorary Life Member of the Marylebone Cricket Club (MCC).

The former Sri Lanka skipper joins compatriots including Arjuna Ranatunga and Kumar Sangakkara in being awarded Honorary Life Membership of the Club.

Now working as Sri Lanka’s chairman of selectors, Jayasuriya made his reputation as a devastating left-handed opening batsman.

Test career

Making his Test debut in 1991, Jayasuriya quickly impressed with his swashbuckling array of strokes, but didn’t reach his maiden century until 1996.

His highest Test score (a mammoth 340) came against India in Colombo in 1997, in a game where Sri Lanka passed 900 in their only innings.

Overall in the game’s longest format Jayasuriya made 6,973 runs at an average of 40.07, including 14 centuries and he also took a 98 wickets with his left-arm spin.

Limited overs success

While this was undoubtedly a Test record to be proud of, arguably the 46-year-old’s greatest achievement was how he revolutionized the 50 over game.

During the 1996 ICC World Cup, Sri Lanka introduced the concept of a ‘pinch-hitter’, someone to attack the opposition bowling right from the start.

It took the tournament by storm, and was a key factor in Sri Lanka beating Australia in the final to win their first global ICC event.

He played in a remarkable 445 ODIs and made 13,430 runs at an average of 32.36, including 28 centuries, and took 393 wickets.