Sanga stranded at Galle

He has been known to be a cool head – a very mature one at that.  His hour long speech based on the history and the corruption in the cricket administration is considered one of the famous speeches.   In his speech, he said: "accountability and transparency in administration and credibility of conduct were lost in a mad power struggle that would leave country’s cricket with no clear, consistent administration", and observed that these problems in administration had risen only after  their World Cup Victory.  He also blamed "a handful of well-meaning individuals" who control the game, wasting the cricket board's finances and resources.  It stirred so much that immediately after the lecture, the  Sports Miniser  ordered an investigation into the speech

He is - Kumar Chokshanada Sangakkara – Sanga to friends, he perhaps would have lost his cool and would have let out some expletives at the new player.   Sanga has proved to be a very dodgy customer not throwing his wicket at all, a classical left handed opener, he can play on his batting prowess or his keeping skills alone.  He rose to become the captain of  the national team from 2009 to 2011, stepping down after the 2011 ICC World Cup final.  He has seen it all, once named the ODI Cricketer of the Year at the ICC awards ceremony,  honoured as one of the top-five Wisden Cricketers of the Year, captaining the team, stepping down to make way for junior yet supporting the team and management to the hilt being not only polished but also a supportive manager.

He is known for tall scores, especially double centuries - with 8 double centuries, he is the third in the list of Test double century-makers, behind Donald Bradman (12) and Brian Lara (9). He is also the first cricketer ever to score 150+ scores in four consecutive Test matches. That he came agonizingly closer to another double is the story……………………..

At Galle Test against Pakistan, Srilankans had a good innings though wickets fell in a heap towards the end.  After 151 overs they were 465/9 - Aththachchi Nuwan Pradeep Roshan Fernando, had just survived 2 balls.  Sanga was on 192 – it was Mohammad Hafeez who bowled the next.  

The first 4 deliveries produced no runs;  the 5^th he charged out, swung wildly, and a catch was dropped – a single.  Last ball was played without fuss by the no.11 Nuwan Fernando

Sanga still on 193.  it was to be Saeed Ajmal bowling the 153^rd  over. After patting down the first 4 deliveries, Sanga swept Ajmal for a huge six - looked at the scored board confirming his score at 200, must have felt very happy on that personal landmark achieved in style, started celebrating.  Players in the dressing room too joined, only to realise the mistake and immediately signalled and sent him message that it was not yet 200.  Probably, his arms went up a bit too early, not a fault though and not knowing what was in store. !!!!!

Off the last, he tries a single, could not and had to wait. It was to be Hafeez again.  The second ball, Fernando pushed forward was beaten and was bowled.  Crowds had waited patiently to see him get to the landmark of 200

Sad he was done in by a wrong score board and an inexperienced no.11 rabbit of a batsman.  Sanga became the  second batsman to remain not out on 199. The first one was also a left-hander - Andy Flower.  Andy Flower had played a great innings in that 2001 Harare Test against South Africa.  In the first essay he made  142, was the last man out and following-on, he made a valiant unbeaten 199.  

Aththachchi Nuwan Pradeep Roshan Fernando, born in 1986 reportedly did not play with cricket ball till he was 20 but could get a test place sooner.  He also has a slinging action and is considered to be one of the faster bowlers

With regards – S. Sampathkumar.