London: Kumar Sangakkara’s first Test hundred at Lord’s saw him rewrite cricket’s record books but England remained in control of their series opener with Sri Lanka on Saturday.
Sri Lanka were 415 for seven at stumps on the third day of this two-match series, with left-hander Sangakkara’s 147 key to their avoiding the follow-on.
His century made the 36-year-old the first man to score hundreds in three consecutive innings on three separate occasions in Tests.
England, however, still led by 160 runs after Joe Root’s maiden Test double century had taken them to a total of 575 for nine declared.
He was all assurance until caught behind off Moeen Ali to give the debutant off-spinner his first Test wicket.
England captain Alastair Cook, often accused of lacking imagination, tried to unsettle the batsmen with unusual field placings and angles of attack.
But his bowlers were largely frustrated by Sangakkara, whose career batting average of 58.53 has only been bettered by players who’ve appeared in at least 25 Tests by Australia’s Don Bradman (99.94) and the England duo of Herbert Sutcliffe (60.73) and Ken Barrington (58.67).
Sri Lanka resumed Saturday on 140 for one, with opener Kaushal Silva 62 not out and Sangakkara unbeaten on 32.
Play commenced in gloomy overcast conditions that led to the floodlights being switched on. (AFP)