Classy Kumar Still Shines So Bright

Jeremy Blackmore watches a true legend of the game make yet another brilliant century.

Kumar Sangakkara delivered one final batting masterclass in his farewell performance at the Oval. As if following the perfect script, the Sri Lankan maestro duly went to his eighth first-class century of the summer, befitting a man who has dominated a season like no other Surrey batsman since Mark Ramprakash.

With a job still to do for his side, there was no extravagant celebration; that’s not Sangakkara’s style. But the Oval crowd made clear the huge affection and respect in which they hold the man who joined the then Division Two club in 2015 by rising to their feet and chanting “four more years”.