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Sangakkara shines amid Sri Lanka gloom in test
Source: AFP |
December 27, 2012, Thursday
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WHILE his teammates withered in the glare of the Boxing Day spotlight, Kumar Sangakkara was the one beacon among the overwhelming gloom for Sri Lanka at the Melbourne Cricket Ground.
The 35-year-old became only the 11th cricketer to surpass 10,000 runs in his fighting 58 yesterday against Australia but had little time to celebrate with his batting partners surrendering meekly on the opening day of the second test.
The ICC cricketer of the year unleashed a sublime array of shots, blasting imperious cover drives to the fence and straight past the bowler before skying a catch to wicketkeeper Matthew Wade off the bowling of Mitchell Johnson.
That snuffed out the tourists' hopes of a face-saving tally as Sri Lanka was bowled out for a measly 156 runs before tea but Sangakkara at least provided a three-hour feast for more than 67,000 festive spectators at the MCG.
Australia trailed by just six runs at stumps on a day when 13 wickets fall.
"I think everybody watching thoroughly enjoyed the elegance of the player," Sri Lanka coach Graham Ford said.
"He (Sangakkara) really is something special when he plays like that. And to achieve what he has achieved is absolutely amazing, so for us, although it was a disappointing day in many ways, that brought a lot of joy to the lads.
"He's very popular in the dressing room and to see him achieve that, everybody's absolutely delighted."
David Warner smashed a quick-fire half century as Australia ended the first day at 150-3. Earlier, Johnson claimed 4-63, including his 200th test wicket.
The 35-year-old became only the 11th cricketer to surpass 10,000 runs in his fighting 58 yesterday against Australia but had little time to celebrate with his batting partners surrendering meekly on the opening day of the second test.
The ICC cricketer of the year unleashed a sublime array of shots, blasting imperious cover drives to the fence and straight past the bowler before skying a catch to wicketkeeper Matthew Wade off the bowling of Mitchell Johnson.
That snuffed out the tourists' hopes of a face-saving tally as Sri Lanka was bowled out for a measly 156 runs before tea but Sangakkara at least provided a three-hour feast for more than 67,000 festive spectators at the MCG.
Australia trailed by just six runs at stumps on a day when 13 wickets fall.
"I think everybody watching thoroughly enjoyed the elegance of the player," Sri Lanka coach Graham Ford said.
"He (Sangakkara) really is something special when he plays like that. And to achieve what he has achieved is absolutely amazing, so for us, although it was a disappointing day in many ways, that brought a lot of joy to the lads.
"He's very popular in the dressing room and to see him achieve that, everybody's absolutely delighted."
David Warner smashed a quick-fire half century as Australia ended the first day at 150-3. Earlier, Johnson claimed 4-63, including his 200th test wicket.
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