Published: Aug 20, 2015, 09:30 PM (IST)
Edited: Aug 20, 2015, 09:30 PM (IST)
20th August, 2015 has gone into cricket history when two legends—Michael Clarke and Kumar Sangakkara—walked into the field for their respective career’s final international games. The first guard of honour took place in Colombo when the Lankan entered the field after India won the toss and put the hosts to bowl first and that was followed by another emotional moment thousand miles away in England when Australia lost David Warner and Clarke made his way out in the middle.
Guard of honor for Michael Clarke. Well deserved #Ashes2015 https://t.co/DuXtog7IIU
— Pramod Ananth (@pramz) August 20, 2015
The Australian captain was also treated to a standing ovation by the sell-out crowd at The Oval as he made his way possibly for the last time ever with a bat in his hand, having announced his retirement from the sport at the end of this series. Clarke, who came out to bat with the score at 161/2, wearing a black band with letters PH written on it for Phillip Hughes, unfortunately failed to score big in the innings that could possibly be his last one for Australia.
Meanwhile, in Colombo Sri Lankan skipper Angelo Mathews said: “From what I can see, he just wants to score a hundred tomorrow. He’s worked extremely hard and is so determined to do that.” If he indeed reaches the three-figure mark in his final Test, it will be his 39th ton in the longest format of the game.” WATCH: Kumar Sangakkara given guard of honour before start of 2nd Test against India at Colombo
At the end of Day One, India finished with 319 for six with Rohit Sharma getting dismissed on the day’s last ball and Wriddhiman Saha batting on 43-ball 19.
