In any city where cricket is played and Sri Lankans live, Kumar Sangakkara is a popular man. So is he in the New Zealand capital of Wellington where he has left an indelible mark.
Sanga has thrilled the Wellingtonians with some classy knocks. Wellington has two cricket grounds. The scenic Basin Reserve hosts Test Matches while the modern Wespac Stadium conducts the limited over games. Sanga’s unbeaten 156 at the Basin Reserve against an attack that had Bond, Martin and Vettori set up a huge win in 2007 and many thought that knock was hard to match. Then he produced another master class early this year with a sublime double hundred where he gave all batsmen a lesson on how to bat with the tail.
Wellington is a mountainous city prone for earthquakes. There was no earthquake on Sunday, but England were shaken and shattered following Sanga’s brilliant onslaught. Sunday’s knock was Sanga’s last in Wellington. He put up a super show and Wellington gave him a fitting farewell. The knock will be remembered for many years to come as the star batsman hardly put a foot wrong and knew exactly what to be done to push Sri Lanka’s forward march in the competition.
England’s bowling was below par, but their total of 309 gave them the cushion to be offbeat and pile up the pressure on the Sri Lankans. But Sangakkara cashed in seizing on the opportunity and put the game beyond England’s reach with a perfectly calculated run chase.
During Sri Lanka’s tour of South Africa in 2011, we noted that Mahela Jayawardene had an edge over Sangakkara due to his ability to finish off games. Those days, Sangakkara would do all the hard work and perish before finishing it off. His game has evolved. Not only does he finish games off now, but does them with finesse.
During the 212 run stand with Lahiru Thirimanne, a new Sri Lankan record for the second wicket improving on the 210 run stand in the previous game between Sanga and Tillekeratne Dilshan, his experience counted.
Sanga consolidated earlier on. As the Required Run Rate touched 7.8, the Batting Power Play was taken in 34th over and 54 runs were scored in the five overs. That brought the required Run Rate to 6.0. From there on without taking any further risks, he just waited till the bowlers to make mistakes and punished.
Sanga’s 23rd century came off just 70 balls, his fastest in ODIs. At times he gave Chris Woakes the charge and lofted him over the head. On other occasions, he just stood firm and cut it firmly past either side of the point fielder.
Here’s another interesting stat. Thirimanne just scored five runs during the Batting Power Play while Sanga scored 49 runs! It was more than clever batting. Barring just one over, on all other four occasions during Batting Power Play, Sanga would take the single off the last ball and retain the strike. The plan was for Sanga to dominate the Power Play overs and Thirimanne faced only nine of the 30 deliveries during that period. England failed to read Sri Lanka’s tactics.
A pity that Sanga’s cherished career is coming to an end. Most Sri Lankans would want him to continue for a couple of more years. In the last three years, he’s not only been Sri Lanka’s greatest batsman but the world’s best too. Last year he was the highest run getter in both forms of the game while this year he has maintained an average of 84 in ODIs and his 589 runs are only behind T.M. Dilshan’s 626.
Sanga recently told a confidant that he needs to spend more time with his family and despite high fitness levels and terrific form he will make way to the younger generation of Sri Lankans.
Sanga’s is a case of making most of limited talent. His youthful exuberance for training has been contagious with many young players seeking to follow him.
A nation loves country’s first heroes. Cricket and Sri Lanka are no exception. Despite Sanga’s statistical brilliance, we put Aravinda de Silva ahead of him as the country’s finest batsman. Perhaps, time has come to move on from emotions and acknowledge the reality.
Rex Clementine reporting from Wellington
