April 19: Record breaking Brendon Kuruppu’s Test debut
On this day in 1987, Sri Lankan wicketkeeper batter Brendon Kuruppu became the first opening batsman to score a double hundred on debut and only the third player to do so, after R. E. Foster and Lawrence Rowe. He scored an unbeaten 201 runs against New Zealand at Colombo Cricket Club Ground. It was recorded as the slowest ever test match double century in terms of balls (548) and in terms of minutes (777).
On this day in 1997, Sri Lankan all-rounder Russel Arnold made his debut in Test matches. He played his maiden Test match against Pakistan at R. Premadasa Stadium in Colombo.
