Sri Lanka skipper begs Kumar Sangakkara not to quit
Record-breaker becomes first batsman to score four consecutive one-day centuries in easy Cricket World Cup win over Scotland
Sri Lanka captain Angelo Mathews said he had gone down on his knees to beg record-breaking batsman Kumar Sangakkara not to quit after the Cricket World Cup.
Sangakkara, 37, will call time on his ODI career at the end of the tournament but he is still in a rich vein of form – on Wednesday he became the first batsman to score four consecutive one-day centuries as Sri Lanka thrashed Scotland by 148 runs in Hobart.
The left-hander hit 124 off 95 balls and 38-year-old Tillakaratne Dilshan made 104 as Sri Lanka piled up 363 for nine and then bowled Scotland out for 215 in the pool A match at the Bellerive Oval.
I’ve been on my knees asking Kumar not to retire but we have to respect his wishes because we are thankful for all the times he has represented the country
Sangakkara also made 105 not out against Bangladesh, an unbeaten 117 against England and 104 against Australia.
He is also the leading scorer in the ongoing tournament with 496 runs from six games.
If that wasn’t enough, Sangakkara also took two catches to overtake Adam Gilchrist as the most successful World Cup wicketkeeper with 54 dismissals. The Australian had 52 victims to his name.
“I’ve been on my knees asking Kumar not to retire but we have to respect his wishes because we are thankful for all the times he has represented the country,” said Mathews.