Kumar Sangakkara passes 12,000 Test runs
Sri Lanka batsman Kumar Sangakkara has become the fastest player to
reach 12,000 runs in Test cricket - and only the fifth to reach the
landmark. The 37-year-old achieved the feat in his 224th Test innings,
during his side’s second
Test in New Zealand. India’s Sachin Tendulkar and Australia’s Ricky
Ponting both needed 247 innings to surpass the mark. Sangakkara’s 33 not
out helped his side to 78-5 after the Kiwis were all out for 221 on day
one in Wellington.
New Zealand lead the series 1-0 after an eight-wicket win in
Christchurch. Sangakkara began his innings on 11,995 runs and was given
a standing ovation when he became the first Sri Lankan to reach 12,000
by knocking Trent Boult square for two. Tendulkar (15,921), Ponting
(13,378), South African Jacques Kallis (13,289) and India’s Rahul Dravid
(13,288) are the only four players to have scored more Test runs than
Sangakkara.
(BBC)
|