Sangakkara breaks record in Sri Lanka’s win

Former SL captain scores a ton and breaks record for most dismissals by a keeper in ODIs as NZ lose by 34 runs.

CRICKET-NZL-SRI sangakkara
Sangakkara has played 397 ODIs [Getty Images]

Kumar Sangakkara scored an unbeaten 113 and then returned to break the world record for the most dismissals by a wicket-keeper in ODIs as Sri Lanka beat New Zealand by 34 runs in the seventh and final match in Wellington.

Most dismissals in ODIs
                       M       Dismissals
KC Sangakkara   397        474
AC Gilchrist        287        472
MV Boucher        295        424
MS Dhoni           253        314
Moin Khan          219        287

Sangakkara’s 21st one-day hundred anchored Sri Lanka to 287 for six after the visitors opted to bat first.

New Zealand, who won the series 4-2, never recovered from losing early wickets in their chase and were all out for 253 in the 46th over.

The hosts were reduced to 42-3 in the 12th over and barring a 74-run stand between Luke Ronchi (47) and Daniel Vettori (35) for the seventh wicket, Sri Lanka always looked in control.

Kane Williamson top-scored for New Zealand with 54 while Kyle Mills hit a 17-ball 30 towards the end.

The 37-year-old Sangakkara, who is expected to retire from international cricket after the World Cup, passed Adam Gilchrist as the most successful wicket-keeper when he caught Corey Anderson off the bowling of Shaminda Eranga.

He later added another catch to the tally when he pouched Tim Southee off Thisara Perera, taking his career total to 474 dismissals with 378 catches and 96 stumpings in the 50-over format when he played as a wicketkeeper.

Australia’s Gilchrist achieved 472 dismissals in 287 one-day matches.

Scorecard:

Sri Lanka 287-6 in 50 overs (Sangakkara 113, Anderson 3-59)

New Zealand 253 all out in 45.3 overs (Williamson 54, Erange 2-34)

Source: Reuters