Mahela (374) and Kumar (287) put on record 624/3 wkts for Sri Lanka against South Africa

By A.C. De Silva

There have been many significant days in Sri Lanka's cricket history since 17th March 1996, when Sri Lanka won the World Cup, but only two will remain long in the memory of those who witnessed them.

Mahela Jayawardene 374 and Kumar Sangakkara 287 on right put on 624/3 wickets for Sri Lanka against South Africa in a fine exhibition of batting that brought a much cherished recod for the Sri Lankans

Mahela Jayawardene and Kumar Sangakkara, captain and vice-captain and great friends completed the highest partnership ever seen in first-class cricket let alone Test cricket, and carried Sri Lanka to a position of rarely contemplated dominance after three days of the first Test against South Africa.

The third wicket union between Mahela and Sanga ended on 624 after almost two days together, during which Sangakkara made a career - best 287 and Jayawardene 374, the fourth highest score in Test history.

The previous highest for a side batting second was the 509 South Africa achieved on the back of Graeme Smith's 259 against England at Lord's in 2003.

All this was achieved despite the loss of both Sri Lanka's openers in single figures: the historic partnership had begun with their team on 14 for two.

Jayasuriya (340) and Mahanama (225) held previous record of 576- 5

The difference between this stand and many of the other great ones in Test history was that it was compiled with the match alive. Far from dwindling to an envitable draw, as the Khettarama Test did around nine years ago. Then Sanath Jayasuriya (340) and Roshan Mahanama (225) posted the previous record of 576, the present heroes had to put up with a real-life, snorting and grunting Andre Nel as well as the world's number-two ranked bowler in Makkaya Ntini.

Sangakkara seemed to be thrilled to the utmost and hoped that one-day 'someone else will break this one-that's the way cricket should go,' said Sangakkara.

Jayawardene surged on, with more than enough time to challenge Brian Lara's individual record of 400, made against England in 2004, and with the full backing of his team-mates and coach Tom Moody. At tea he was 357 not out and the lead was 551.

Even if he had needed most of the final session everybody believed that Muttiah Muralitharan control win the game Single handed in just-one of the two days that remained.

There were fire-crackers at the stadium and though there were not many people at the stadium, there were people who watched the game from other sources.

Cricket can have disappointments

Jayawardene was gone for 374 from 572 balls having struck 44 fours and a six. Was it possible that the air of disappointment following innings of 287 and 374 could be as tangible as it was?

Sangakkara was of the view that cricket can turn out to be a game whether one scores a hundred or a triple hundred, and still be disappointed.

He, however said that he was proud to have been a partner where Mahela Jayawardene batted so well-everyone's disappointed for him that he couldn't get to the 400 mark.