Sports - Mahela's Master Magic

Joins Sangakkara to re-create history with highest stand for any wicket in first class or test cricket

One expects records to be broken, but not to fall like a set of dominoes. That is exactly what happened on the third day in the first Janashakthi test between Sri Lanka and South Africa. History was re-written and the blazing sun was eclipsed by Skipper Mahela Jayawardene and his deputy Kumar Sangakkara.

They broke quite a few records while putting on a mammoth 624 runs for the third wicket. In just the second over after the lunch break an attempted sweep by Jayawardene saw the ball speeding to the fence for a boundary. With that four runs their partnership of 578 went into the history books as the highest in both tests and first class cricket. At the end of the third day’s play yesterday, South Africa had replied with 43 for no loss.

At the post match press briefing, Nicky Boje explaining about the South African chances said; “Mahela (Jayawardene) and Kumar (Sangakkara) played some awesome cricket. They really showed us how to bat on this pitch,” and added that “since Chaminda Vass was not playing Muttiah Muralitharan would have no foothold to bowl in and thus it may be less of a threat”. Jayawardene speaking to The Sunday Times replied by saying; “Muralitharan does not have a foothold to take wickets. Sanath Jayasuriya can bowl into the rough and Murali can bowl at the other end.”

When Jayawardene was given the job of vice captaincy for a couple of years, he was criticized by many for lack of form with the bat. When asked about his consistency both as a Captain and a batsman he said; “I was going through a bad patch at the time and I did not have that much of responsibility. Think the main thing for me is to give 100 per cent every time I play for Sri Lanka and that is what I have been doing,”

Both Jayawardene and Sangakkara said it was great to be together at the crease when they passed the 600 run mark for the third wicket. The pair are great mates on and off the field and were fittingly presented with two Peugeots by Cricket’s controlling body for their heroic efforts over the last two days.

We asked Sangakkara whether the fact that he was not keeping helped his batting. His reply was; “I started out by keeping and batting for Sri Lanka. I do not intend to neglect either discipline. Prasanna Jayawardene made it to the Sri Lankan team on merit. He is a good batsman and a brilliant wicket keeper. But there might be times when we cannot afford the luxury of a seventh batsman. My priority is the team. Whatever the team needs me to do, I will do.” Jayawardene did admit he was elated to have passed Jayasuriya’s score of 340. But he rated his innings of 167 against New Zealand as his best given the batting conditions.

Both Jayawardene and coach Tom Moody emphasized that a lot of work remained despite Sri Lanka’s massive first innings lead. Moody put it in a nutshell when he stated; “I have not known a South African side to just lie down. They will fight to the end.”

Resuming their overnight score of 484 for two, Jayawardene and Sangakkara mixed caution with aggression to take their side to 584 for two at lunch. Jayawardene became only the third Sri Lankan player after Jayasuriya and Aravinda de Silva to score over 6000 runs in test cricket, when he had made 260 runs.

A trademark cover drive by Jayawardene saw him pass the magical three hundred mark for the first time in his test career. All rounder Andrew Hall finally provided some relief for the visitors when he had Sangakkara playing an extravagant drive, only to be caught by stumper Mark Boucher for 287.

Thus the partnership of 624 runs was broken. The most relieved man on the field would have been Jacque Rudolph who dropped Sangakkra when he was on seven and then again on 99. It was Sangakkara's highest test score and his fourth double hundred in tests. His innings came off 457 balls and contained 35 hits to the ropes.

Following the break South Africa took the new ball which had been due for 16 overs. This paid dividends with Dale Steyn trapping Dilshan is front for 45 to end an entertaining stand of 130 runs for the fourth wicket. Jayawardene suddenly seemed to go into a shell and was deceived by a quicker delivery by Nel.

Jayawardene's innings of 374 is the fourth highest in test history. He faced 572 balls and had 43 hits to the ropes and one over it. Following his dismissal the declaration was made with the Sri Lankan total on 756 for 5.There was gloom for the South Africans. Opener Herchelle Gibbs had symptoms of diarrhoea and vomiting, The latest news from the proteas camp is that Gibbs’s condition is improving and will be monitored overnight.