Published: Aug 22, 2015, 07:15 AM (IST)
Edited: Aug 22, 2015, 07:23 AM (IST)
Kumar Sangakkara has played some excellent innings in Tests during his 15-year career. He has often dug Sri Lanka out of trouble and has also given their scoring a much-needed boost when it was required. As he bids adieu to international cricket after the second Test against India at Colombo, Pramod Ananth lists some of his most memorable efforts.
319 vs Bangladesh in 2014: Sangakkara had scored a few double tons in his international career but in 2014, he managed to score his maiden triple ton, against Bangladesh at Chittagong. The Bangladeshi bowling was not the best but nobody other than Sangakkara made their starts count. The match ended in a draw but it was one to remember for Sangakkara. #ThankYouSanga: Virat Kohli keeps cricket’s innocence alive
287 vs South Africa in 2006: Sangakkara played an excellent knock in the first Test against South Africa in 2006 at Colombo. He came in at a time when Sri Lanka had lost a couple of quick wickets. He, alongside Mahela Jayawardene, put on a record-breaking 624 runs for the third wicket and put Sri Lanka in a commanding position. His 287 came at a strike rate of 63, which indicates that he did not buckle down under pressure at any stage. The Sinhalese Sports Club (SSC) is a flat track but it came against a fierce bowling attack of Makhaya Ntini, Dale Steyn, Andre Nel and Nicky Boje.
211 vs Pakistan in 2011: When Sangakkara gets his eye in, he usually scores at a rapid pace, but in this innings against Pakistan he played with lots of patience. He was lucky to have got some support from Prasanna Jayawardene lower down the order, or else Sri Lanka would have lost the match. Sangakkara once again held fort when most of the middle-order batsmen failed. READ: Kumar Sangakkara, one of the very best ever
203 vs New Zealand in 2015: Sangakkara has been in excellent form throughout 2015. It all started when they visited New Zealand at the end of 2014. In the first match of 2015, Sangakkara made a brilliant 203, after yet another middle-order collapse. But despite Sanga’s heroics, Sri Lanka succumbed to a 193-run loss.
199 not out vs Pakistan in 2012: Sangakkara was unfortunate not to get to the double ton as he ran out of partners at the other end. He was looking to get to his milestone. He batted well with the tail, taking singles sensibly. His innings, however, helped Sri Lanka post a commanding first innings score against Pakistan, which they won comfortably by 209 runs. Sanga is also the only player other than Andy Flower to have a 199 not out.
192 vs Australia in 2007: Sangakkara scored a majestic 192 when Sri Lanka needed 507 runs to win in the Hobart Test in 2007. He was wrongly given out by umpire Rudi Koertzen, which denied him a double century. Everything fell in place perfectly for him that day: he was looking determined to give the Australians a run for their money and that is exactly what he did. Sangakkara’s innings gave the team some hope; he stood tall when his entire team failed, which makes this innings all the more special.
147 vs England in 2014: Sangakkara scored his first and only ton at Lord’s when he made 147 in 2014. It was definitely a special moment for him and probably something he will remember for the rest of his life. Sri Lanka went on to draw that match but eventually won the series to add icing on the cake.
108 vs South Africa in 2011: Sangakkara once again stepped up to the plate and delivered at a time when Sri Lanka needed it the most. He came in at No.3 and ensured that he steadied the innings with wickets falling all around him. He made 108 in the second innings at Kingsmead, Durban, after getting out for a duck in the first innings. Sangakkara’s knock helped Sri Lanka set a huge target and eventually win the match. READ: Kumar Sangakkara and that cover drive, a match made in heaven
105 not out vs India in 2001: Sangakkara was dismissed for a couple of nineties in his career before he got to his maiden Test ton against India at Galle in 2001. Sangakkara was the designated wicketkeeper for this match and walked in at No.3 after a 101-run stand for the opening wicket between Marvan Attapattu and Sanath Jayasuriya. Sri Lanka underwent a collapse after that, but Sangakkara showed excellent determination to get the monkey off of his back and register his first ever ton in Tests. Sri Lanka won the match by 10 wickets.
100 not out vs New Zealand in 2006: Although Sri Lanka lost this match convincingly, Sangakkara’s unbeaten century made sure that his team at least went past 100, which at one stage looked impossible. With half the side back in the hut for 46, Sangakkara fought a lone battle and was unfazed by the quickness by which his side lost wickets. His ton gave the bowlers something to bowl at in the fourth innings. READ: Kumar Sangakkara’s final battle at Galle
(Pramod Ananth is a reporter at CricketCountry. He has represented Karnataka table tennis under-15, and is a hardcore supporter of Liverpool FC. His Twitter handle is @pramz)
