England v Sri Lanka 2011 - http://www.senore.com/Cricket/KC-Sangakkara-c1779 replaces injured Dilshan as Captain for Third Test
http://www.senore.com/Cricket/Sri-Lanka-c758 has named their former captain, Kumar Sangakkara, as the skipper for the third Test against England, scheduled to begin from 16 June, 2011 at Southampton. The reigning captain, Dilshan Tillakaratne, was ruled out because of an injury to his thumb.
According to fellow middle-order batsman and former vice-captain, http://www.senore.com/Cricket/India-c750.
Speaking on the matter, Mahela said, “He had to think about it for a few days, because he only stood down from the job back in April, but I think he felt that you have to take responsibility in a situation such as this”.
Jayawardene, who has played under Sangakkara, believes that the wicketkeeper/batsman was the best possible choice for the final match and since Sri Lanka Cricket (SLC) had not appointed a vice-captain for the series, picking Kumar for the spot was the right
thing to do.
Sri Lanka needed the http://www.senore.com/Cricket/Services-c840 of the likes of Sangakkara to help in levelling the series as they are already one down in the three-match series after being blown away by England’s bowlers in the first Test.
However, the Lankans managed to level the second Test and now a win will help them draw the tournament.
Nonetheless, Sangakkara did not lead the side over the weekend in their tour match against http://www.senore.com/Cricket/Essex-c783, as reports suggested he wanted to focus on his batting, where he has been showing some signs of sluggishness during the ongoing English tour. In his place Thilan
Samaraweera led the side.
The former vice-captain, Jayawardene, felt that Sangakkara had the hallmarks of making an impression in the last clash because the player has always managed to give commendable performances for his side when the stakes have been set high.
However, he admitted that the loss of regular skipper, Dilshan, was a setback for the tourists as his blazing batting is always a threat to any opposition on a given day.
Nonetheless, he revealed that the inclusion of Dilshan was really not possible after he had already been hit on the same thumb more than once.
“We gave him a chance to get back to full fitness, but he's still not 100%, and after being struck on the thumb three times already, the doctors felt he would be risking a long-term injury if he was hit there again in this match”, Jayawardene reiterated.
After the third Test, Sri Lanka will play a Twenty20 and then five One Day International (ODI) matches against England.
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