Kumar Sangakkara’s 11th double century has handed Sri Lanka control of the second Test against New Zealand in Wellington, but the veteran is unsure if he will try to match Sir Don Bradman’s record.
The 37-year-old, who became the fastest player to bring up 12,000 Test runs on the first day, plundered 203 on the second day to give the tourists a 135-run first innings lead at the Basin Reserve.
They amassed 356 in reply to the hosts’ 221 before the home side’s openers safely negotiated 11 overs before the end of the day to be 0-22 to narrow the deficit to 113.
The day, however, belonged to Sangakkara who began the day on 33 as he mixed watchful defence with attacking flair to chalk up his fourth Test ton against the Black Caps before accelerating to turn that into his first double century against them.
He now has 11 Test double centuries and lies just one behind the great Bradman on the all-time list.
But Sangakkara is unsure if he will prolong his career past this year’s World Cup to allow him to equal the Australian’s mark.
“It just depends on how everything pans out after this World Cup. It’s really hard to predict what will happen and what my thoughts will be at the end of a World Cup, about my future.
“I’ve promised them (the selectors) that I’ll really have a chat and reconsider to see if there is a few more months of cricket in me Test-wise.”
Sri Lanka resumed on 5-78 and Sangakkara and Dinesh Chandimal navigated a testing examination from New Zealand in the opening session to add 130 for the sixth wicket.
Chandimal, overlooked for the first Test loss in Christchurch despite averaging over 44 in Tests, brought up his sixth half-century before falling on 67 chasing a wide one from James Neesham.
Sangakkara, determined to contribute after failing twice in Christchurch, went to his 38th Test century by cutting a short ball from offspinner Mark Craig for three and then drove Neesham to the cover boundary to bring him his 200.
It took a stunning catch to end his masterful innings, with Trent Boult plucking a fiercely-hit cut out of the air to claim another showstopper at the ground and hand Neesham his third wicket of the innings.
His innings featured 18 fours and three sixes and he cleverly manipulated the strike to add valuable runs with the tail.
“It was a demonstration of how to play from a world class player,” said New Zealand wicketkeeper BJ Watling.
When Neesham claimed Dhammika Prasad the tourists had a slender 21-run lead with three wickets in hand and it brought Sangakkara out of his shell.
He had reached his first century in 191 balls but his second came off just 110 deliveries and waited until he had scored 143 before offering a chance – a difficult catch to a back-pedalling Doug Bracewell.
He added 47 with Rangana Herath and then combined with Suranga Lakmal to add 67 for the ninth wicket as the New Zealand bowlers tired.
