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Cricket: Surrey's Kumar Sangakkara falls just short of record-equalling sixth straight century

Surrey's Kumar Sangakkara falls just short of record-equalling sixth straight century

Kumar Sangakkara fell 16 runs short of a record-equalling sixth successive first-class century as Surrey's Specsavers County Championship Division One clash with Essex petered out into a draw at Chelmsford.

Sangakkara had an opportunity to join an elite club comprising of CB Fry, Don Bradman and Mike Procter had he reached three figures, having done so in his last five innings, but was also denied the opportunity of his 100th career century after slapping a return catch to part-timer Tom Westley.

The 39-year-old former Sri Lanka captain, who has announced he will retire from first-class cricket at the end of the championship campaign, still took his haul for the summer to a whopping 876 runs at a staggering average of 109.5.

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His hope of bringing up his ton was the only matter left to decide towards the end of the final day after a knock of 84 had helped Surrey into a position of safety, and they declared on 260 for nine as the top two sides in the division shared the spoils.

Jamie Porter had threatened to set up a dramatic finale for leaders Essex by taking five wickets in 27 deliveries, but Sangakkara's brilliance ultimately snuffed out their hopes as both sides settled for an 11-point haul.

In Division Two, Glamorgan snatched their first win of the season after chasing down 266 with three wickets and as many balls to spare in a thrilling final afternoon against Durham at Swansea.

Visiting captain Paul Collingwood opted to declare while he was eight runs shy of a second century in the match following a rain interval and gave his opposition 51 overs to reach their total, leaving them requiring 5.2 an over.

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Opener Nick Selman proved the mainstay of the innings with 116 not out from 129 balls, with 12 fours and three sixes, and fittingly got Glamorgan over the line in the final over by bludgeoning 14 runs off Paul Coughlin's first three balls.

Kent clinched their fourth win of the season - and moved four points behind leaders Nottinghamshire - despite stubborn resistance from Sussex's lower order at Tunbridge Wells.

Resuming on 182 for six in pursuit of a notional 504 for victory, Sussex's hopes of emerging with at least a draw seemed far-fetched but Michael Burgess (68) and Vernon Philander (73 not out) at least stretched Kent.

The hosts required 43.4 overs to mop up the tail, with James Harris taking three of the four wickets to steer his side to a 147-run victory.