was finally awarded Test status, de Silva was nearing his forties, which naturally shortened his career. He made his test debut against England in Sri Lanka's very first test match at the age of 39 years, 251 days and became the oldest ever test debutant for Sri Lanka. His test debut came at a time when he was way past his prime years and his first test wicket was David Gower. However, he played in Sri Lanka's first 12 Tests, before retiring at 42. He took his best figures in the second test against Pakistan at Iqbal Stadium, Faisalabad, in March 1982, when he had figures of 4 for 103 and 5 for 59 and the match was drawn with Sri Lanka close to victory. He became the first ever Sri Lankan bowler to take a test fifer and also became the oldest ever Sri Lankan bowler to take a fifer in an innings of a test match at the age of 39 years and 276 days. He captained the Sri Lankan cricket team for two Tests in 1983, as the regular captain, Duleep Mendis, missed the series in New Zealand due to injury. He also became the oldest ever international captain for Sri Lanka as he made his captaincy debut (stand in captain) in that test series against New Zealand at the age of 40 years and 266 days. de Silva made two half-centuries as captain and took three wickets with tight bowling on pitches that did not suit his bowling style. However, New Zealand won the series 2–0. He also became the oldest player to captain Sri Lanka in an ODI at the age of 40 years and 264 days against New Zealand. He played his last test match against England at Lord's in 1984. However, it wasn't a happy outing for him in his last ever test match appearance as he declared himself unfit to play when he turned his ankle while warming up in the nets. Despite his ankle injury, the team management was keen and desperate to have in the playing XI given his experience and wicket taking abilities. He was somehow convinced by the team management to play in the test match whereas he toiled hard and bowled a marathon spell of 45 overs, conceding just 85 runs, taking two crucial wickets including 16 maiden overs. He was however was not able to land