Kumar Sangakkara’s masterful 134 trumps hosts England in Champions Trophy
Kumar Sangakkara is one of the finest and most consistent batters to have represented Sri Lanka at the highest level. He has more than a few batting records to his name apart from some exceptional records in wicket-keeping. One of those is four consistent centuries in Australia during the 2015 World Cup.
Meanwhile, it was on this very day in 2013 that the southpaw single-handedly decimated the England bowlers in their backyard with a brilliant century during an ICC Champions Trophy group fixture. Even though Sangakkara was above 35, still he showed no signs of fatigue.
When Kumar Sangakkara outclassed a formidable English side
Tournament hosts England locked horns with Sri Lanka at the Kennington Oval in London. The Lankans won the toss and elected to bowl first. Openers Alastair Cook and Ian Bell ensured a good start for England and once the latter was dismissed, the English skipper was then involved in an 83-run second-wicket stand with Jonathan Trott. Cook was eventually caught plumb in front of the wicket by Rangana Herath.
However, Trott (76) and Joe Root (68) scored for the hosts at a good rate as the Lankan bowlers toiled hard in the middle overs. In the end, finishing touches from Ravi Bopara (33*) helped England post a challenging total of 293/7.
The target was indeed a daunting one but was pretty much gettable with the surface becoming good to bat on in the second innings. The seasoned duo of Tillakaratne Dilshan and Kumar Sangakkara held the fort for the side as the duo added 92 runs for the second wicket.
While Sangakkara looked unstoppable from one end, he received good support from his good friend Mahela Jayawardene (42) and bowling all-rounder Nuwan Kulasekara (58*) from the other end. The wicketkeeper-batter breached three figures in a deserving manner and showed no complacency even though the target was within touching distance from there on.
Sangakkara (134*) and Kulasekara completed the formalities by seven wickets in the 48th over. The former was adjudged the Player of the Match for his outstanding match-winning knock in a stiff run chase.
Sri Lanka enjoyed a great run in the tournament as they made the semifinals where they went down to the eventual champions India. The Three Lions, on the other hand, made it to their second Champions Trophy final after nine years, but a dramatic batting collapse in a rain-curtailed decider meant that they snatched defeat from the jaws of victory against MS Dhoni & Co.
