Kumar Sangakkara a class act

Sri Lanka Insurance Cricket Legends 2007

CRICKET: Kumar Sangakkara is a wicket keeper batsman who can hold his own against the best that world cricket could front up to him.

And to underline this statement, Sangakkara was chosen as wicket keeper and batsman to play in the World XI.

Sangakkara will be one of the stars that would take the field in the cricket carnival organised by the Sri Lanka Cricketers Association in association with Sri Lanka Insurance on Wednesday at the Sinhalese Sports Club ground.

Trinity College in Kandy was where Sangakkara learnt his rudiments of the game. Playing in the junior tournament he showed more than ordinary promise and as his career began to blossom, his game grew in stature.

From a very early age he showed immense talent as a sound left hand batsman and wicket keeper. He concentrated hard on the game and after an excellent bash in inter-school cricket, where he scored an eye catching century against the Thomians at Mount Lavinia which launched him into the big time, Sangakkara has not looked back since.

His success as a wicket keeper batsman did not go unnoticed by the selectors of that time, and it was not long when he was asked to do duties for the Sri Lanka team.

He continued the good work and his stylish left handed batting and safe hands behind the stumps was a great asset to the team. Sangakkara's signature shot is the cover drive which he executes exquisitely with dream timing and which sees the ball beating the field and running to the boundary.

When the occasion demands, Sangakkara has it in him to take a few steps down the wicket and loft the ball for six. For Sangakkara success is the rule and failure the exception. Sangakkara is a connoisseurs delight when at the wicket. His footwork is twinkle toed and it is amazing to watch him get his foot to the ball, be in line and execute his gifted strokes all round the wicket.

When in full cry there is no bowler who could bowl line or length. He is so quick that he can move forward or backwards according to the pitching of the delivery, face it and send it to any part of the field he wishes.

He has the knack of placing his shots cleverly and piercing the field with ease. He has been one of the most consistent batsmen and has many three figure and double figure marks to his credit, with promise of more hundreds and double hundreds to follow as he has a lot more years of cricket before him. Playing for Warwickshire in the English county circuit, he has been able to improve his technique and master the movement which is very common in English conditions.

His 287 against the South Africans at the SSC where in partnership with his skipper he put on 600 plus for the third wicket and roasted the Protea bowlers in the sun will long be remembered by him.

Sangakkara has played in 67 Tests scoring 5,492 runs with a top score of 287. He has played in 203 one-day internationals with 5,866 runs with a top score of 138 not out. Sangakkara will be one of the drawcards at the SSC on Wednesday where a large holiday crowd is expected.

Elmo Rodrigopulle