Sanga shows joy of batting

While others fall by the wayside…

By Aubrey Kuruppu

England wicket-keeper Matt Prior performing the last rites of Lankan skipper Mahela Jayawardena’s very short innings off the bowling of Mathew Hoggard. (Picture by Saman Kariyawasam)

There is a tide in the affairs of men, said the Bard, which taken at the flood leadeth to fortune. This is Kumar Sangakkara’s glorious era. No bowler seems to faze him unduly and the only way in which he canbe dismissed is by something special or unplayable. This was the case yesterday, too, even as it was at the Bellervie Oval few days back.

England, by dint of fighting and persistent cricket, had got themselves into an ascendant position at the end of day one of the opening Test at the Asgiriya Stadium. Hoggard’s early strikes were cancelled out by the defiance and well-thought-out aggression by Sangakkara and Jayawardena.

All is no tlost to the Sri Lankans with the wicket tending to keep low and slow .Already Muralitharan has induced fear and uncertainty in the minds of the batsmen.

Jayawardena’s decision to take first strike was par to the course. A true surfaced fast outfield made the big crowd have visions of a commanding first innings total.

However after Sidebottom had effected the first breach, Hoggard tok over and cut a swathe through the SriLankan middle order with three new unplayable deliveries. Jayawardena, Silva andMubarak perished pushing forward uncertainly only to see Prior throwing the ball up in glee.

Jayasuriya can count himself unlucky. He played a sizzling drive and Pietersen lurking in the covers threw himself to his right and pulled off a stunning catch. At 42-5, the Sri Lankans had dug a huge hole for themselves.

Sangakkara was like the boy on the burning deck. Stumper Jayawardena put up his hand to be counted and showed that he had the character to survive a crisis. Slow to get off the mark Jayawardena then blossomed forth and matched the more illustrious Sangakkara shot for shot.