That unbroken stand and a jaw dropping century

By Kiron Shenoy

In the record books of Sri Lankan cricket, some milestones are written in ink that simply refuses to fade. While the modern era is defined by T20 pyrotechnics and rapid-fire scoring, a quiet but monumental record established nearly five decades ago continues to stand as a sentinel of resilience and “never-say-die” spirit.

The year was 1979. The setting was the prestigious P. Sara Trophy, the bedrock of Sri Lankan First-Class cricket. The venue was the SSC Ground at Maitland Place—a cathedral of the local game.

It was a match that, on paper, should have been a one-sided affair. The powerhouse Singhalese Sports Club (SSC) took the field boasting an intimidating lineup that included no fewer than eight Sri Lanka players. Opposing them was the Burgher Recreation Club (BRC) which found themselves reeling as the SSC attack tore through their batting order.

When the ninth wicket fell, the end seemed imminent. But what followed was not a surrender; it was a master class in tail-end defiance that would etch the names Ranjith Rajapakse and Asoka Vitharana into the annals of history

158 runs of pure grit

Against an attack featuring the country’s finest bowlers, the duo of Rajapakse and Vitharana began to build. What started as a move to save face transformed into a historic onslaught! As the sun beat down on Maitland Place, the pair moved the score along with a mix of clinical precision and daring stroke play.

By the time the final wicket finally fell, they had added 158 runs for the 10th wicket. To put this in perspective, this stand remains the highest ever recorded for the final wicket in a First-Class or Major League match in Sri Lanka. Despite the evolution of the game, the advent of better equipment, and the increase in matches played, no pair has managed to eclipse this total in nearly fifty years of domestic cricket.

A century from the tail

However, the partnership was not the only record-shattering event that afternoon. In a feat that remains unparalleled in the Sri Lankan league, the number 11 batsman, Ranjith Rajapakse, played an innings of a lifetime. Coming in at the very end of the order, Rajapakse defied the formidable SSC bowling attack to score a magnificent century, remaining unbeaten on 101. This stands as a unique Sri Lankan record for the highest score ever made by a number 11 batsman in a First-Class match, further cementing the legendary status of this encounter. In the same match Ranjith Rajapakse took seven wickets, which too is a record.

A call for formal recognition

While the story is a “gem of wisdom” often shared in the pavilions of Colombo, there is a growing movement to ensure these feats are officially canonized in the Sri Lanka Cricket (SLC) First-Class record books.

According to SLC, acknowledging such milestones is crucial for preserving the legacy of Sri Lankan cricket as it serves to inspire the current generation of cricketers to value every single wicket, proving that the game is never over until the final ball is bowled.

For Ranjith Rajapakse and Asoka Vitharana, that February weekend in 1979 wasn’t just about the runs on the board. It was about the psychological battle of two “tail-enders” standing tall against eight national giants.

As the letter for formal recognition reaches the desks of Sri Lanka Cricket at No. 35 Maitland Place—only a stone’s throw from where the records were set—fans and historians alike are hopeful that this 158-run epic and the 101 not out by a number 11 batsman finally receive the official status they deserve.

In a world of “flash-in-the-pan” heroes, the Rajapakse-Vitharana stand remains a timeless reminder that the greatest wealth in sport is often gathered when the odds are most heavily stacked against you.