Kumar Sangakkara hits record fourth successive ODI ton

Kumar Sangakkara became the first man in ODI history to score centuries in four consecutive innings, and together with Tillakaratne Dilshan ensured Sri Lanka thrashed Scotland by a massive 148-run margin their World Cup 2015 Group A match in Hobart on Wednesday.

Angelo Mathews opted to bat first after he won the toss and Sri Lanka lost opener Lahiru Thirimanne for four in the sixth over. His dismissal brought Sangakkara and Dilshan, both in excellent form, together.

Sangakkara's runs came all around the wicket as he picked the gaps or cleared the field with ease. He was dropped on 84 when he struck a full toss from Matt Machan to Calum MacLeod who dropped it. Otherwise, Sangakkara was clinical, and struck 13 fours and four sixes.

After reaching his hundred, he plundered 24 off an over from Alasdair Evans during the Powerplay.

Dilshan and Sangakkara had brought up their centuries from consecutive balls, Dilshan's coming from his 97th delivery with a single to fine leg off Kyle Coetzer, and Sangakkara's arriving next ball with a two edged to third man off Coetzer from his 86th delivery. The 195-run stand helped Sri Lanka eventually post a mammoth 363.

Ireland managed just 215 in reply. Freedie Coleman top-scored with 70 and captain Preston Mommsen scored 60.

"It was a pretty good game. It was important we finished off strong, especially when playing a team like Scotland. We could have got complacent, but we came in and put up the necessary fight. Once you get used to a certain routine (keeping and batting in ODIs), it isn't so bad, but now that I am 37, the joints are creaking. I consider myself lucky to be part of such a good side. Sometimes things just fall in place. Everything clicks," Sangakkara said.