With four sessions lost to rain, this game was always going to be a draw but Kumar Sangakkara put on a show befitting his ranking as No2 batsman in the world to give England’s bowlers plenty to worry about for the forthcoming series against Sri Lanka.
After Durham declined Sussex’s offer to set up a result, Sangakkara had all the time in the world for some leisurely batting practice under the sunshine and took six hours in total to hit 159 and, by the looks of it, a purple patch. He struck 20 boundaries including two beautifully timed sixes through midwicket, and made full use of a flat track that had slowed markedly over the four days.
The two lives he had on Tuesday were made to count through his 365-ball exhibition though he was mindful not to push his luck. When he eventually went, caught on the deep midwicket boundary off Steve Magoffin, Durham were eight runs short of 400 with 11 balls left to gather a fifth bonus point. They missed it by two runs but the commitment to the points chase from Sangakkara, and from Paul Collingwood, the Durham captain, who made 74 in 78 balls made for two sparkling sessions.
“It is pretty good preparation for the Tests though I’m disappointed we didn’t get the extra batting point,” Sangakkara said. “It was hard work and tested both my technique and focus so I had to be watchful at times. These runs have certainly helped my confidence.”
Sussex were also deprived of a third bowling point with an attack weakened by the absence of all-rounder Chris Jordan, who was under instructions from the England and Wales Cricket Board to rest ahead of the international season.
This was the second championship match he missed but was keen to play some cricket before the first Twenty 20 match against Sri Lanka on Tuesday so grabbed the opportunity to play in Sussex Second XI’s Twenty 20 match against MCC at Arundel.
“No club is happy when their best player can’t play,” Mark Robinson, the Sussex coach, said. “There will always be disagreement because we want our best players and England want to protect one of their assets ahead of a heavy schedule.”
