Sanath Jayasuriya made his Test debut against New Zealand in 1991 and scored an impressive 35 in his only outing of the match, which Sri Lanka managed to draw against a strong bowling line-up
Although he failed to score a century in his first 26 innings, Jayasuriya did produce a few cameos - at times, in pain - at home and abroad
And it was not just the bat that he shone with; he took four wickets or more six times in his Test career
A string of poor performances saw him score only one half-century in the next 26 Test innings
His good form with the bat turned into great form as he scored 340 against India at Colombo while sharing a 576-run second-wicket partnership with Roshan Mahanama
He scored two fifties and a century in four innings against Pakistan and two fifties against West Indies as Sri Lanka managed to draw three out of four Tests against mightier opponents
Disappointment for the Sri Lankan captain as even his 188 against Pakistan and 148 against South Africa failed to bring series wins for his team
However, a 2-0 series-win against India and a clean sweep against West Indies - both at home - brought the smile back to his face
The Asian Test Championship followed as Sri Lanka beat Pakistan at Lahore - with Jayasuriya sharing a 203-run second-wicket partnership - to be crowned champions
A win at home against England was quickly followed by a series loss against Australia where Jayasuriya was frequently troubled by the fast bowlers but managed to come out on top
After the disappointment of the series loss against Australia , a double-century and a century against Pakistan ensured Sri Lanka went home with the two-match series squared
Somewhere in between, after 14 years of Test cricket, Jayasuriya became the first Sri Lankan to play 100 Tests when he took on Bangladesh
Jayasuriya was proven to be a human after all as he was dropped from the Test team for the first time since 1995 on the back of poor performance and injury
Six weeks after being dropped, Jayasuriya was included in the squad to tour New Zealand following mass protest and criticism which also saw the Sri Lankan president involved
However, Jayasuriya decided to call time on his career - a move to be reversed later - following a home series against Pakistan
Agony for Jayasuriya in his 'final' Test as an injury to his right hand forced him off the field and off the Test arena
He was later brought out of retirement by the Asantha de Mel, the new chairman of selectors, and re-entered the world of Test cricket against England at Nottingham
After winning the Nottingham Test, Sri Lanka went on to win a home series against South Africa thus continuing a fairy-tale return for Jayasuriya
1996 world cup
A series to forget for Sri Lanka for various reasons as they were swept 2-0 by Australia with 45 being Jayasuriya's top score of the series
Decision time for the 38-year old Jayasuriya who was nearing 7000 Test runs as Sri Lanka hosted England for a Test series
Decision made at last: Jayasuirya confirms his retirement from Test cricket and scores a typically fast 78 in his final innings at Kandy
