OTD | Mahela Jayawardene and Kumar Sangakkara stitched the biggest Test partnership of all time in 2006

The Sri Lankan cricket team may have lost its glamour now, but until a few years ago they were one of the powerhouses in international cricket. Their golden era has been graced by many legendary players and undoubtedly Mahela Jayawardene and Kumar Sangakkara are certainly part of that elite list.

Jayawardena and Sangakkara have been the two pillars of the Lankan batting unit for over a decade. Both of them have achieved profound individual success across formats. However, one of the most notable achievements of the two together was the world record partnership they stitched during the first Test against South Africa on 29 July 2006 in Colombo. 

South Africa, who won the toss and opted to bat first, were bundled out for just 169 runs. The Proteas batters struggled to find any resistance as fast bowler Dilhara Fernando and spin wizard Muthiah Muralidaran wreaked havoc with four-wicket hauls. AB de Villiers was their top scorer with 65 runs. 

Jayawardene – Sangakkara partnership lifts Sri Lanka after early collapse 

In reply, Sri Lanka were shocked as they lost both their openers early on. The South African camp was jubilant as they saw the scoreboard read 2-14 in 3.3 overs. But what followed was a hell of a time for the Proteas bowlers. The star pair of Jayawardene and Sangakkara stood like a wall at the crease and taunted them. 

They added 624 runs for the third wicket and this record has not been broken even after 18 years. Sangakkara racked up 287 runs off 457 with the help of 35 fours. Meanwhile, Jayawardene amassed a mammoth 374 runs off 572 with 43 fours and a six. Tillakaratne Dilshan also contributed 43 runs to Sri Lanka’s first innings total of 756 before declaring.

South Africa showed better fight in their second innings, but they could only reach 434 runs before getting bundled out. Sri Lanka eventually grabbed a stunning victory by an innings and 153 runs. Jayawardena, who came close to breaking Brian Lara’s record of 400 runs, was adjudged the Player of the Match.  

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