An epitome of ‘test’ batting, Sri Lanka’s Kumar Sangakkara and Dinesh Chandimal stuck in out in the blazing heat, (which most people were wary of going to watch the cricket)pressure situation of 4/69, erratic wicket, maintaining concentration ball after ball to take Sri Lanka out of the doldrums in the second test vs Bangladesh at the R Premadasa International Cricket Stadium.
After the early debacle of losing T M Dishan in reply to Bangladesh’s respectable 240 yesterday , Sri Lanka landed themselves with needless pressure first thing in the morning when Dimuth Karunaratne nicked Robiul Islam to the waiting hands of skipper Mushfiqur Rahim behind the wickets for 17. Galle centurion Lahiru Trimanne could not perform his usual heroics as he was removed by Robiul Islam caught behind yet again. Home skipper Angelo Mathews held sway with the great Kumar Sangakkara who was resolute to get his side out of the mess and collect himself another century. Spin was introduced and Sohag Gazi removed the skipper for just 16 which left Sri Lanka reeling at 69.
Newly crowned vice-captain Dinesh Chandimal held the initial nerves and difficulties to diligently buckle down to posting a threatening score. With the pitch wearing off, it was apparent that Sri Lanka could not allow themselves to bat second and runs needed to be piled on in the 1st essay itself. The partnership was built steadily and it was a story of sheer will-power, shot-selection and control. Both batsman matching defense for defense , rotating strike and punishing the bad balls, piled on the agony on the Bangladeshi’s. In the scorching sun, clothing saturated to the body the pair took Sri Lanka to lunch without further fuss.
Just after tea Sangakkara reached his century which would be rated highly due to the patience and character it displayed. Young Chandimal was taught a great ‘test’ batting lesson by the veteran as he settled in to a long stay.
By the end of the day Sangakkara looked like he was practicing staying- power more than accumulating runs, reveling in the contest between bat and ball. Chandimal on the other hand started to flex his muscles by the end of his innings but played on just after he reached 102 in 176 balls including 8 fours. The wicket was taken by Rubel Hossain leaving Sri Lanka 264/5 ending a mind-boggling partnership of 196 runs.
New kid on the block Kithruwan Vithanage came in at the fall of Chandimal’s wicket and you would expect him to grab the opportunity of accumulating alongside maestro Sangakkara. However like most young Sri Lankan batsmen who are nurtured on stroke play, he went after his shots to hold out in the deep to Mominul Haq off the bowling of Rubel Hossain undoing all the advantage of the previous two batsmen. It was a squandered opportunity for him, where he could have taken the time to establish himself instead of going after the bowling. He would have surely watched Sangakkara and Chandimal in a grafting partnership on an un-even wicket.
As for the Kumar Sangakkara innings there are no accolades left, he defended immaculately and pounced on the loose balls and more over ran quickly between the wickets with many threes in the slow Premadasa outfield. It was an astonishing innings of edurance and a manual to any young batsman.
Bangladesh bowlers despite toiling in the heat revved it up to speeds of 138K+. Robiul Islam did the initial damage taking 2 for 52 before hobbling off with cramp while Rubel Hossain bowled with fire to take 2 wickets for 41.
Sri Lanka ended the day at 294/6 with Sangakkara on 127 not out in 271 balls with 10 fours and Nuwan Kulasekara not out 2.
