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Sangakkara the all rounder
- By Farah Macan Markar -
Kumar Sangakara
Left Hand Bat,
at the NCC, I
had a chat.
25 going on 26
born in October 77'
he first held a bat
when he was seven.
In his back yard garden
Kumar would play,
this batsman, wicket-keeper
a national cricketer today.
From Trinity College Kandy
Sanga hailed as a kid,
playing cricket and tennis
finally choosing Crick as his Biz.
In the under 13 team
Kumar played his first match,
and has been in it right through
having even done a bowling patch.
Playing for NCC
and then the national side,
his debut test was against South Africa
in Galle 99'.
His first test century was against India
he's got three more so far,
plus a double against the Indies
he never lets down his guard.
Viv Richards, Clive Lloyd
Steve Waugh, Brian Lara,
Arjuna and Aravinda
his fav cricketers, are.
Cricket, he says, today
is more of a profession than sport,
"Yet no matter how good you are
the love of the game shouldn't go".
One Dayer or Tester?
"They're two aspects of the game,
the One's have the Spects involved
with its fastness" he says.
"But the real test for the cricketer
is in the big five day match,
it tests your mental, physical endurance
you've got to be upto scratch".
One Day's however
according to our Expert,
have influenced tests to have
quicker run-rates on the turfs.
"When batting your soul conflict
is with the ball" Kumar says,
"You've got to be mentally and physically geared
decide on what shot selection to play.
Wicket-Keeping too is tough
you need a lot of discipline,
you've got to watch every ball
be alert all the while your in".
With practises tougher than competitions
during the off season he trains a lot,
from 6.30 in the morning
Sang's up and about.
 Cricket's not his only love
three months ago he tied the knot,
to 26 year old Yehali
whom he first met when 17 plus.
The big question popped
when he was touring Australia,
"Yehali" he says
"is shy, sweet and cares".
A Trinity Lion plus
a Ryde Gold Medal Winner too,
English, GRC, History, Econ
he did for his A's in school.
Working at Seylan Bank
he's studying law at Col Uni,
he hopes to sit his exams next year
he loves eating rice n' curry.
Craziest thing ever done?
Bungee Rocketing in South Africa,
he enjoys music, reading books
his fav author's that Wilde, Oscar.
So who is Sangakkara?
"I give my best in whatever I do,
I live my life how I want
not how others want me to".
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