Sri Lanka great Sangakkara hits maiden Dorset League century

ABBOTSBURY 207-6 (7pts) lost to SHILLINGSTONE 301-5 (18pts) by 94 runs

KUMAR Sangakkara scored a majestic 126 from only 95 balls to record his maiden Dorset League ton as Shillingstone beat Abbotsbury by 94 runs in County Division Three.

Sri Lankan great Sangakkara smashed 15 fours and three sixes as Shill posted a whopping 301-5 from 40 overs, before Abbotsbury were restricted to 207-6 in the chase.

Sangakkara even turned his arm over, displaying handy off-spin on his way to 2-18 from four overs. He also pouched a sharp catch off Steve Budd (36).

While Abbotsbury did not win on the day, left-arm spinner Pankaj Nikale (2-54) will remember the occasion forever as he dismissed Sangakkara for the second time this season.

READ MORE: Kumar Sangakkara makes Dorset League debut for Shillingstone

It comes after Sangakkara, who resides in north Dorset, committed to play five times for Shill this June inbetween his coaching and television roles.

Shillingstone, skippered by Sangakkara, won the toss and chose to bat in perfect conditions, with the sun beating down on the Abbotsbury Bowl.

Kumar Sangakkara skippered Shillingstone on the day (Image: STEVE BUDD)

Nikale struck early on, bowling Nick Marshall (5) and bringing Sangakkara to the crease.

The elegant left-hander then effortlessly constructed a majestic century, putting to bed any sledges over whether he could bat on Dorset’s pitches.

His innings ended when an aerial shot was well held by Abbotsbury skipper Dave Worsdell.

Sangakkara’s knock was undoubtedly centre stage but Shillingstone proved why they top the division, with strong batting depth behind their star card.

Will Morgan (74) and Will Salisbury (53) both hit rapid half-centuries as Shill set the Swans 302 to win.

Abbotsbury’s batters got stuck into what was always likely to be an improbable chase, with their top order all making solid contributions.

Kynan Brian made 19 before the Swans regrouped and built to 96-1.

Hugo Hartley (2-21) then removed set batters Budd and Simon Pengelly (26) in quick succession to check the hosts.

Harry Testa-Fisher made a breezy 25 from 17 balls, including two fours and two maximums, before he offered a catch off Sangakkara’s bowling.

Jerry Shaw (1-33) also weighed in with the key wicket of Chas Duerdoth (18) as Abbotsbury were checked again at 140-5.

And Worsdell (8) became Sangakkara’s second victim, caught by his agent Charlie Austin, as the Sri Lankan gained revenge.

Nikale led spirited resistance from the Abbotsbury lower order, though, helping to put on 37 for the sixth wicket. Nikale’s 36 came from 34 balls and included two sixes plus four boundaries.

Pankaj Nikale hit 36 for Abbotsbury after dismissing Sangakkara for the second time this season (Image: STEVE BUDD)

He ended up as joint top-scorer but Abbotsbury were always well behind the required run rate, the Swans at least taking maximum batting points while preventing their opponents from scooping top bowling points.

The defeat keeps Abbotsbury in bottom spot but the Swans will have the glorious second prize of being the only team to have played Sangakkara twice this season.

The 46-year-old is now expected to resume his punditry and commentary duties for Sky Sports ahead of the English Test summer.

England host the West Indies on Wednesday, July 10 in what will be legendary swing bowler James Anderson’s final Test match.