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Things were so well-poised overnight. Sri Lanka had started their second innings really well, but both openers were out meaning their two best batsmen were at the crease. If England had managed to nick them out, they’d have been odds-on favourites.
But being the best batsmen in your team tends to mean that you’re pretty competent at waving the bat around. Jayawardene eventually went for 65, but Kumar Sangakkara’s just immaculate right now.
This was the fourth Test in a row that the cheeky looking ex-wicketkeeper had passed 150 and the seventh time he’s hit a hundred in the 14 innings since he put his wicketkeeping gloves in his special one-day international bag – four of those hundreds were not outs too.
He’s at the point now where the opposition have to come up with a way of dismissing him before they can even think about winning a Test, let alone a series. He’s Shivnarine Chanderpaul only he plays in a good team.
England’s best chance of getting Sangakkara out is to make his replacement behind the stumps, Prasanna Jayawardene, look dreadful, forcing Sangakkara to return to that position. It’s not the BEST plan ever, we’ll admit.
Sri Lanka v England, day four of the first Test at Kandy
Sri Lanka 188 all out (Kumar Sangakkara 92, Prasanna Jayawardene 51, Matthew Hoggard 4-29, Monty Panesar 3-46)
England 281 (Ian Bell 83, Muttiah Muralitharan 6-55)
Sri Lanka 442-8 declared (Kumar Sangakkara 152, Benevolent Uncle Sanath 78, Mahela Jayawardene 65, Money Panesar 3-132)
England 9-1
All hail the king.
Apparently, his average since loaning the gloves to Prasanna is over 150. Which is ridiculous, quite frankly.
Not sure how England will make Prasanna look dreadful, so it’s just a matter of hoping he spontaneously transforms into Kamran Akmal, I suppose.
Even if Prasanna did transform into Kamran Akmal, Upul Tharanga can also keep wicket. And if he does, Sanath might reverse his retirement again and come back. Be careful what you wish for, England.
Unfortunately, myself and Mr. Sangakkara are going to have a falling out very soon!
Not only is he a far better cricketer than I have ever been, or will be, he is also far more suave.
Where I come from, that’s fighting talk.
Get your dukes up Kumar, I’m after you, and I’ve brought the Marquess of Queensbury rules with me!
We’ll hold your waistcoats.
What’s the correct post-dispute beverage at such an event? Should we put some champagne on ice for the subsequent civilities?
If I’d known there was a rider for this sort of thing, I’d have taken to duelling with cricketers much earlier in life!!
Champagne, Cognac. and a nice cup of Ceylon tea (for Mr Sangakkara).