Hobart, Australia: Kumar Sangakkara scored an unprecedented fourth consecutive century and shared a 195-run second-wicket partnership with Tillakaratne Dilshan (104) to set Sri Lanka on course for 363-9 Wednesday in a World Cup Pool A match against Scotland.
Sangakkara, who posted unbeaten centuries in wins over Bangladesh and England before being out for 104 in last Sunday's loss to Australia, was caught behind for 124 off 95 balls, including 13 boundaries and four sixes. The 37-year-old left-hander became the first batsman ever to score hundreds in four straight one-day internationals and has been in supreme form in the tournament.
Sri Lanka was in complete control until Josh Davey (3-63) took the first of his key wickets to dismiss Dilshan to make the total 216-2. He removed Mahela Jayawardene (2) and Sangakkara on consecutive balls in the 37th over as Sri Lanka wobbled from 216-1 to 244-4. Those wickets lifted Davey's tally to 14 in the tournament — leading all bowlers so far.
Skipper Angelo Mathews (51) hit sixes on four consecutive balls from offspinner Matt Macham to reach his 50 from 20 balls — the second fastest of the tournament — but was out next ball when he was caught at deep mid-wicket by Fred Coleman. His 21-ball knock contained a four and six sixes.
But with a 400-plus total in sight, the Sri Lankans lost a string of wickets to outfield catches and, in the end, only passed 350 in the 49th over with the last-wicket pair at the crease.
"It is a great experience to play with Kumar," Dilshan said in a TV interview during the innings break. "We have put together over 15 100-run partnerships in the past. I hope we can continue to bat as long as possible together and keep on producing the big partnerships."
Sri Lanka has already qualified for the quarterfinals but is still playing for positions in the knockout stage.
