Star batsman Kumar Sangakkara made a sensational debut for English county Surrey making a century against Glamorgan in Cardiff yesterday.
In social media, there’s an interesting joke being shared and retweeted these days. An Indian fan is saying that Sachin was sent by God to play cricket. Below that Kumar Sangakkara is saying, ‘I don’t remember sending anybody! Jokes apart, Sanga has been batting so well that he has become a nightmare to opposition teams.
Yesterday making his debut for English county Surrey, the star batsman made the occasion a memorable one hammering an unbeaten century. The 37-year-old was in sensational form during the recent World Cup as he notched up four centuries in a row.
The prolific batsman retired from ODI cricket after the World Cup and many Sri Lankans including the country’s Sports Minister requested him to continue for one more year.
Playing against Glamorgan in the chilly Cardiff, Sangakkara went onto make a fine century.
Cardiff yesterday witnessed two of the modern day greats batting together as the Sri Lankan occupied the number three slot followed by South African born former English international Kevin Pietersen, at number four. They added 39 runs for the third wicket before Pietersen departed.
Sanga then was involved in an unfinished stand of 160 with Steven Davis, who was 87 not out.
Sanga reached three figures with a boundary off Andy Carter. He faced 161 deliveries and hit 14 fours and a six.
Surrey, who elected to bat first, were 320 for three at stumps.
Sanga will be playing most of the English season this summer and will return home for the Test series against Pakistan and India scheduled for June and August. He will retire from Tests after the Indian series brining to an end an illustrious 15 year career.
The star batsman has represented two English counties prior to this. In 2007, Warwickshire signed him while last year Durham signed him for a short period. His stint with Durham was limited for just two games. He was using the two games to warm up for Sri Lanka’s international assignment against England later that summer. He hit a purple patch scoring heavily including a maiden Test century at Lord’s – the Home of Cricket. Sri Lanka went onto record their first ever Test series win on English soil.
Surrey are coached by former Sri Lanka Head Coach Graham Ford. Former England captain Alec Stewart is the Director of Cricket at Surrey.
Brief Scores:
Surrey 320/3 (86 overs)
(R. Burns 50, Z. Ansari 48, K. Sangakkara 103*, K. Pietersen 19, S. Davis 87*)
