The answer is that each of them was the victim of Muttiah Muralitharan as he broke the world record for the number of Test wickets taken by one bowler. Nkala was the first when Muralitharan caught and bowled him at Harare in May 2004 to go past the figure of 519 wickets, which had been set by the West Indian fast bowler, Courtney Walsh.

Van Jaarsveld was the second at Galle that August after Shane Warne had levelled affairs at 527 wickets each. Warne was to take the record outright in October of the same year at Chennai, moving the total to 532. He stayed ahead until yesterday at Kandy when Collingwood became the third batsmen to allow Murali to hold the record alone.

It will stand for years and years. Warne is retired, the man in third place on the list on 573 wickets, Anil Kumble is, at 37, two years older than Murali.  The nearest of the other bowlers still playing is Muralitharan's compatriot, Chaminda Vaas on 322.

After the scenes of celebration yesterday it was being suggested that someone like Monty Panesar, the English left-arm spinner might have a chance. Panesar is 25 and has 76 wickets. By that time Murali has some 60 more.  The legendary Sydney Barnes of England held the record with 189 wickets  for 23 years between 1913 and 1936. Murali's eventual figure, whatever it is, may last as long.