Sri Lankan legend Kumar Sangakkara played like he was batting in a wicket different to rest of the 21 players in Christchurch 2006. Sangakkara effortlessly pulled and drove the likes of Shane Bond throughout his innings. Sri Lanka began their second innings relatively comfortably reaching 44 for the loss of Sanath Jayasuriya to an unfortunate run out at the non-striker's end. Then the drama started to unfold as Tharanga, Mahela, Kapugedara and Chamara Silva walked back to the pavilion within the space of 2 runs leaving Sri Lanka 6 runs still behind New Zealand's first innings total. Sri Lanka lost 98 for 8 at one stage of which Sangakkara formed much-needed partnerships with Malinga and Muralitharan to give Bowlers something to bowl at. At 99, Sangakkara tucked the ball away to deep square for an easy single when McCullum's unsportsmanlike dislodgement of bails resulted in Murali's run out when he turned back to congratulate Sangakkara. Sadly Sri Lanka went on to lose the test but Sangakkara's knock would not be forgotten.
26 авг 2024
