There is a lot to be said for going out at the top and Kumar Sangakkara is making sure that he does so. Against Scotland, still persevering but increasingly pummelled, Sangakkara struck his fourth consecutive century in ODI cricket. No one has ever done that before. As a result Sri Lanka, after racing along to 363 for nine, won the game by 148 runs, giving a simple demonstration of how to deal with a “lesser” side. Bat first, stick the runs on the board and mop up later. One day this might catch on with England.
Sangakkara’s was the most predictable century imaginable from the moment he drove his first runs down the ground. In the most benign of batting conditions, he gave a technical chance to mid-wicket on 84 when the ball just flicked diving fingers before heading off to the boundary. Once or twice there was indecision in his running between the wickets during another century partnership with Tillakaratne Dilshan. Otherwise Sangakkara was flawless on his way to three figures, methodical yet never boring. He was powerful as well with drives over extra-cover for six and slog-sweeps which ended up deep in the stands.
He has promised to give up white-ball cricket after this tournament, which is a relief to one-day bowlers everywhere.
Later in the match he achieved another landmark, becoming the first man to pass 500 dismissals in ODIs as well as taking the most World Cup victims. In this tournament he thinks nothing of keeping wicket for 50 overs after/before knocking up a century. Along with all the other attributes he is incredibly fit.
Dilshan also delivered a routine hundred against a Scottish side close to becoming punch-drunk. Indeed they may require a little Dutch courage for their last undertaking in this tournament. On Saturday they play once more in Hobart and Australia’s batsmen are unlikely to show any more mercy than the Sri Lankans. Dilshan is 38, a year older than Sangakkara, and is minded to keep going for another two years if possible. In this sort of form that should not be too much of a problem.
Angelo Mathews was the most violent of the Sri Lankans, hitting 51 from 21 balls including four consecutive sixes off the speculative off-spin of Matt Machan before holing out off the last ball of that over. However, he had to leave the field early in the Scottish innings, experiencing pain in his ankle.
The Sri Lankans have had more injuries than any team and they cannot afford to be without Mathews in their quarter-final, which will definitely be in Sydney and probably against South Africa. The suggestion was that Mathews’ departure was a precautionary measure.
There were consolations for the Scots. Josh Davey, a willowy and willing all-rounder, became the leading wicket-taker in the tournament with 14 scalps. Here he received some flak but he also dismissed the golden triumvirate of Dilshan, Sangakkara and Mahela Jayawardene. They were all swinging at the time but he does not have to tell his grandchildren that.
After a dodgy start, when Scotland were reduced to 44 for three, there was defiance from Preston Mommsen and Freddie Coleman, who added 118 together in 20 overs. Both struck the ball with an authority, which seemed to surprise their opponents.
Afterwards Sangakkara confirmed that his rich vein of form would not change his plans. “Retirement is not about form. It’s about time and place and what you think is right,” he said. “I’ve been one of a privileged few to represent my country. How could I not enjoy my last ODIs?”
He added that Scotland and the other “lesser” teams had brought much joy to the World Cup and that they should be in future tournaments. Sangakkara’s opinion carries much weight – or at least it should do – so that was probably the best bit of news for the Scots on the day.
