Sangakkara leads Sri Lanka to 320-5

Image
AFP Colombo
Last Updated : Jul 20 2013 | 7:30 PM IST
Kumar Sangakkara smashed his highest one-day score of 169 off 137 balls as Sri Lanka piled up 320-5 against South Africa at the Premadasa stadium in Colombo today.
The 35-year-old left-hander surpassed his previous best of 138 not out against India in 2005 after the hosts were sent in to bat in the first game of the five-match series against the Proteas.
Sangakkara's 16th century in his 350th one-dayer steered Sri Lanka to a commanding total after Tillakaratne Dilshan had fallen cheaply in the fourth over, bowled by Chris Morris.
Sangakkara put on 70 for the second wicket with opener Upul Tharanga (43), 74 for the third with Mahela Jayawardene (42) and 123 for the fourth in which Lahiru Thirimanne's contribution was just 17.
The veteran finally holed out in the deep in the penultimate over of the innings, ending a scintillating innings that contained 18 boundaries and six sixes.
Fast bowler Morne Morkel, who recovered in time from a thigh injury to play the match, was South Africa's most impressive bowler with 2-34 from his 10 overs.
But the inexperience of the depleted touring squad told in the end as the Sri Lankans batted fluently on the slow pitch.
South Africa are without three frontline players -- fast bowler Dale Steyn, all-rounder Jacques Kallis and former captain Graeme Smith -- for the tour which also includes three Twenty20 matches.
Premier batsman Hashim Amla was unavailable for the first match due to a strained neck.
*Subscribe to Business Standard digital and get complimentary access to The New York Times

Smart Quarterly

₹900

3 Months

₹300/Month

SAVE 25%

Smart Essential

₹2,700

1 Year

₹225/Month

SAVE 46%
*Complimentary New York Times access for the 2nd year will be given after 12 months

Super Saver

₹3,900

2 Years

₹162/Month

Subscribe

Renews automatically, cancel anytime

Here’s what’s included in our digital subscription plans

Exclusive premium stories online

  • Over 30 premium stories daily, handpicked by our editors

Complimentary Access to The New York Times

  • News, Games, Cooking, Audio, Wirecutter & The Athletic

Business Standard Epaper

  • Digital replica of our daily newspaper — with options to read, save, and share

Curated Newsletters

  • Insights on markets, finance, politics, tech, and more delivered to your inbox

Market Analysis & Investment Insights

  • In-depth market analysis & insights with access to The Smart Investor

Archives

  • Repository of articles and publications dating back to 1997

Ad-free Reading

  • Uninterrupted reading experience with no advertisements

Seamless Access Across All Devices

  • Access Business Standard across devices — mobile, tablet, or PC, via web or app

More From This Section

First Published: Jul 20 2013 | 7:30 PM IST

Next Story