Another miss for Sangakkara
Plays of the day from the fifth day of the second Test between Sri Lanka and Pakistan in Colombo
Kanishkaa Balachandran in Colombo
04-Jul-2012
Kumar Sangakkara had himself to blame as he missed out on a double-century again • Getty Images
Jinx of the day
Kumar Sangakkara must be wondering why the 190s invariably spell rotten luck for him. In Galle, he was cruelly tapped on the shoulder, only to be told that he needed one more. The No.11 failed to stick around long enough to allow Sangakkara the double, so he had to live with an unbeaten 199. Here at the SSC, Sangakkara couldn't look around for any excuses though. He had time, and enough partners in the bench to graft his way towards a double-century. On 192, his impatience got the better of him. He charged Abdur Rehman and tried to launch him over the on side, but ended up chipping it tamely to square leg. Sangakkara agonised over his shot for a few seconds, stared at the heavens and trudged back, unable to comprehend what he had done.
Kumar Sangakkara must be wondering why the 190s invariably spell rotten luck for him. In Galle, he was cruelly tapped on the shoulder, only to be told that he needed one more. The No.11 failed to stick around long enough to allow Sangakkara the double, so he had to live with an unbeaten 199. Here at the SSC, Sangakkara couldn't look around for any excuses though. He had time, and enough partners in the bench to graft his way towards a double-century. On 192, his impatience got the better of him. He charged Abdur Rehman and tried to launch him over the on side, but ended up chipping it tamely to square leg. Sangakkara agonised over his shot for a few seconds, stared at the heavens and trudged back, unable to comprehend what he had done.
Ball of the day….
…goes to the bowler who showed everyone what it takes to get a five-wicket haul on a road. Junaid Khan bowled a feisty spell on the fourth evening, troubling Sri Lanka's middle order with his reverse swing from round the wicket to the right-handers. After inducing an outside edge to send back Angelo Mathews, Junaid produced a yorker which swung in late to Nuwan Kulasekara, who inside edged to the stumps to give Junaid his fifth. Even a genuine batsman would have had trouble keeping that out.
…goes to the bowler who showed everyone what it takes to get a five-wicket haul on a road. Junaid Khan bowled a feisty spell on the fourth evening, troubling Sri Lanka's middle order with his reverse swing from round the wicket to the right-handers. After inducing an outside edge to send back Angelo Mathews, Junaid produced a yorker which swung in late to Nuwan Kulasekara, who inside edged to the stumps to give Junaid his fifth. Even a genuine batsman would have had trouble keeping that out.
Shot of the day
Abdur Rehman's cameo 36 off 22 balls made the second session all the more watchable. With Pakistan in search of quick runs to force an ambitious declaration, Rehman was promoted to No.3. He was determined to rip into Suraj Randiv, taking him for three clean sixes. He launched one of them straight over the bowler's head and a few at the press box skipped a beat as the ball was headed in that direction. Fortunately, there was just enough elevation to clear the three-storey enclosure.
Abdur Rehman's cameo 36 off 22 balls made the second session all the more watchable. With Pakistan in search of quick runs to force an ambitious declaration, Rehman was promoted to No.3. He was determined to rip into Suraj Randiv, taking him for three clean sixes. He launched one of them straight over the bowler's head and a few at the press box skipped a beat as the ball was headed in that direction. Fortunately, there was just enough elevation to clear the three-storey enclosure.
Odd decision of the day
With Pakistan a massive 259 ahead at tea and the only realistic outcome being a draw, it was entirely up to Misbah-ul-Haq to opt for further batting practice, or a late crack at the Sri Lanka top order with the new ball. During the interval, there were no signs of a declaration as the Pakistan players remained indoors. On resumption, the Sri Lankans walked out, and an over later, the players were back in the pavilion. The extra over made no difference.
With Pakistan a massive 259 ahead at tea and the only realistic outcome being a draw, it was entirely up to Misbah-ul-Haq to opt for further batting practice, or a late crack at the Sri Lanka top order with the new ball. During the interval, there were no signs of a declaration as the Pakistan players remained indoors. On resumption, the Sri Lankans walked out, and an over later, the players were back in the pavilion. The extra over made no difference.
Kanishkaa Balachandran is a senior sub-editor at ESPNcricinfo