By IANS
Adelaide : Kumar Sangakkara registered his seventh century in One-Day Internationals (ODIs) – his third against India and his first in Australia – but Sri Lanka still ended up on the losing side here Tuesday.
Of his seven centuries, six have come away from home. Sangakkara’s tally of five tons as wicket-keeper is the second best in ODIs, next only to Adam Gilchrist’s world-record feat of 16.
Sangakkara, who smashed 128 off 155 balls at the Adelaide Oval, extended his record for most centuries against India as wicketkeeper to three. England’s Alec Stewart, Andy Flower of Zimbabwe and Australia’s Adam Gilchrist have recorded one each against India.
Sangakkara became second visiting stumper to make a hundred in Australia. Pakistan’s Kamran Akmal was the first to achieve the distinction, making 124 against West Indies at Brisbane in 2005.
The Sri Lankan’s innings is now the highest by a wicketkeeper at Adelaide. New Zealand’s Brendon McCullum had made 96 against Australia at this venue in December 2007.
Sangakkara’s innings is also the highest by a Sri Lankan in Australia, surpassing Sanath Jayasuriya’s 122 against Australia at Sydney in 2003. His innings is also the highest by a Sri Lankan against India in Australia, obliterating Dilshan’s 62 not out Feb 12.
Captain Mahela Jayawardene registered his 43rd half-century and his ninth against India.
During the course of their innings, both Sangakkara (1,125 in 28 matches) and Jayawardene (1,041 in 33 matches) completed 1,000 runs in Australia. They thus joined three other Sri Lankans — Aravinda de Silva (1,251 in 48), Jayasuriya (1,227 in 48) and Arjuna Ranatunga (1,071 in 42).
Sangakkara and Jayawardene were associated in a stand of 153 for the third wicket, which is Sri Lanka’s highest for this wicket-position in Australia, eclipsing the 103 between Roshan Mahanama and Aravinda de Silva against New Zealand at Hobart in 1988.
This partnership is Sri Lanka’s best for any wicket at Adelaide, obliterating the 128 for the fifth wicket between Ranatunga and Mahanama against Pakistan in 1998.
Jayasuriya has earned a dubious distinction with his third-ball duck against India. He became the first ever player to record 30 ducks in ODIs.
Sri Lanka registered their first ever total of 200-plus against India in Australia, bettering their 154 off 2 off 19 overs at Canberra in the rain-affected game Feb 12. But despite their total of 238 for six, India beat them by two wickets.