Kumara Sangakkara the elegant Sri Lankan left handed batsman is just one Test away to hang his bat forever. The wicket-keeper batsman was law student when he entered the team at the age of 22. He was destined to be a great cricketer. His ability to score runs with an elegant shot in Test cricket was better than anyone in modern day cricket.
Sangakkara uses to pierce the ball through the cover. Cut, pool and drive came naturally to him. His consistency was remarkable. He scored 12350 runs in 133 Test at an average of 57.71. His average is the best of his generation of players. And overall he is the 10th highest average holder in Test cricket.
But, he is the holder of an astonishing record that is he is the only Test batsman who has played more than 100 Test matches with an average of 57.71, which complemented by 38 centuries and 52 fifties, the best in the history of Test cricket.
His current captain Angelo Mathews put him with the line of Don Bradman. He has really Bradman like persona. He is the Bradman of modern day Test cricket. He has more than 40 plus average with all nine Test playing nations. 50 plus against six nations. Sangakkar has nine double hundred and one triple hundred.
Here I am at Sportz Wiki picking five of his epic innings which has immense significant to Test cricket and to Sri Lanka. Some of his brilliant innings went in vain as his teammates failed to use that for wins.
287 at Colombo
In 2006, July South Africa was touring Sri Lanka. In the first Test at Colombo, Sinhalese Sports Club Ground Dilhara Fernando and Muttiah Muralitharan bundled out South Africa inside 169. Sri Lanka commencing their innings lost two quick wickets. Kumar Sangakkara and Mahela Jayawardene at second wicket built a record 624 runs partnership. South Africa lost the match by an innings and 153 runs.
Dale Steyn and Makhya Ntini were proved toothless.
Sangakkara’s friend Jayawardene scored 374 runs and he scored 287 runs. One thing about Sangakkara is that he can manipulate the innings. He scored his double hundred with 35 fours, but not with a single six. However, Jayawardene had hit one six.
192 at Hobart
Sangakkara was going through his one of his best phase in his 15 years long illustrative career. After that 287 against South Africa, Sangakkara went on to score two back to back hundreds at Christchurch and Wellington, and two back to back double hundreds against Bangladesh at Colombo and Kandy respectively.
But, it was his 192 at Hobart in the summer of 2007, which had gone in vain as Sri Lanka was defeated by 92 runs. Coincidently it was Sangakkara highest score in Australia. Jayawardene has scored hundred in the first innings and Sangakkara scored 57. But their teammates did not have that guts to face Australia bowling attack which was featured by Brett Lee, Stuart Clark and Mitchell Johnson.
Sangakkara missed the double hundred by eight runs. But, he reduced the margin of defeat.
108 at Durban
This time Sri Lanka were touring South Africa in December ,2011. Sangakkara scored nil in the first innings. Thilan Samaraweera scored 102 that helped Sri Lanka to put a fighting total on board. South Africa found Sri Lankan spinners too good for them. Chanaka Welegedara and Rangana Herath decimated South Africa inside 168 runs. Sri Lankad got 170 runs lead, but in the second innings Dale Steyn came hard on Sri Lankan batsman , took five wicktes. But, Sangakkara with his impeccable defense scored 102 runs which became difference in South Africa’s chase as Rangana Herath’s five wicktes ends South Africa’s innings inside 241 runs. South Africa lost the match by mamoth 208 runs.
147 at Lord’s
The June ,2014 match at the Macca of cricket – Lord’s has become feast of run. The test was a drawn by Sri Lanka from the jaws of defeat. Sangakkar added a feather to his career by scoring a century at Lord’s. It was his lone century at Lord’s. Joe Root scored 200 for England. And for Sri Lanka Sangakkara and Angelo Mathews scored centuries.
Sangakkara scored 147 runs off 449 balls with 16 boundaries. Although the match was drawn, it was full of excitement as Sri Lanka managed to draw the match. England in their second inings declared 267 for 8, Gary Balance scored century. Sri Lanka were asked to chase the target 390. Sangakkar scored 61, best by any Sri Lankan bestman. As he bowled by James Anderson at 169, Sri Lanka were at the brink of defeat Shaminda Eranga and Nuan Pradeep saved Sri Lnaka from another defeat in foreign shore.
203 at Wellington
The match of January 2015 has seen reverse. New Zealand batting first were bowled out for paltry 221. Sri Lanka scored 356 runs. Sangakkara made the most hefty contribution, scored 203, his best in New Zealand.
But, New Zealand come back in the match strongly in their second innings. Kane Wallimason and BJ Watling made a 365 runs partnership. Kane Williamson and Watling scored unbeaten 242 and 142 respectively.
Sri Lanka lost the match by massive 196 runs.