ROSHAN
MAHANAMA

SANATH
JAYASURIYA

Jayawardene and Sangakkara became the only second pair in Test history to score 250s in the same innings -- Sir Gary Sobers (365 not out) and Conrad Hunte (260) were the first, against Pakistan at Kingston in 1958.

It would interest all West Indians to know, that, the duo of Sobers and Hunte shared a second-wicket stand of 446 in a total of 790/3 dec. -- the highest total made by West Indies in 78 years of Test cricket.

Both Sri Lankan batsmen superseded previous Test highest -- with wicket-keeper/batsman Sangakkara bettering the 270 he made at Bulawayo in 2004 against Zimbabwe.

Present captain Jayawardene completely erased his 242 against India in 1998/99 at SSC Colombo (said venue of his record 374 score).

Born in Colombo, Sri Lanka, on May 27, 1977, Mahela Jayawardene alias “The Panther”, made his Test debut in 1997 in the said record-making Test match.

A prodigiously talented right-handed middle-order batsman, immensely strong through the off-side and off either foot.

During his record score the highest by a Sri Lankan, he became the only third player from the Emerald Island to crest 6,000 Test match career runs, after: Aravinda De Silva (6,361) and Jayasuriya (6,625) as I write.

Jayawardene’s 374 is the fourth highest Test score after -- Lara’s (400 n.o. and 375 and Australia’s Matt Hayden’s (380). After 82 Tests, he has 6,117 runs (average 49.33) with 15 hundreds. He also boasts a healthy One-Day International record of: 5,812 runs from 214 matches (average 31.24) with eight hundreds. His was the 21st triple-century made in 1,810 Tests then.

Double Trouble: Sri Lankan batsmen MAHELA JAYAWARDENE (left) and KUMAR SANGAKKARA.

Kumar Sangakkara -- arguably Sri Lanka’s finest-ever batsman/wicket-keeper, is a five feet 10 1/2 inches tall left-handed batsman and very, very sound and efficient wicket-keeper -- he possesses the fitness and finesse to mesh with a bubbly fruity enthusiasm for the game.

A great fan and admirer of top-dog Australian Adam Gilchrist (743 International dismissals).

As a fine left-handed batsman, he has made four double-centuries in Tests: is tight outside the off-stump and concentrates more on the “V” in his shot selection, Sangakkara possesses a fierce cover-drive and loves being consistent.

Has an appetite for large scores: 230 v Pakistan at Lahore (2002); 270 v Zimbabwe at Bulawayo (2004); 232 v South Africa at Colombo (2004) and 287 v South Africa at Colombo (2006).

The last being the highest score ever made in Test history, by a wicket-keeper.

Since his Test debut against South Africa six seasons ago, he has improved in all facets of his game and stands on the cusp of completing 5,000 Test match runs -- he has made 160 dismissals in his 61 appearances -- 10 Test tons to go.

A devout Buddhist and son of a prominent Sri Lankan lawyer -- he himself is studying for his law degree, at 28, his cricket is primarily based on four rules: concentration, reputation, repetition and drills.

Following are the highest partnerships in first-class/Test history: exceeding 500 runs (criteria).

1. 624 (3rd - wkt): Jayawardene/Sangakkara Sri Lanka v South Africa at Colombo in 2006 (Test match).

2. 577 (4th - wkt): Hazare/Mahomed Baroda v Holkar at Baroda in 1946/47.

3. 576 (2nd - wkt): Jayasuriya/Mahanama Sri Lanka v India at Colombo in 1997 (Test match).

4. 574 (unbroken) (4th - wkt): Walcott/Worrell Barbados v Trinidad and Tobago at Q.P. Oval in 1945/46).

5. 561 (1st - wkt): Mirza/Akhtar Karachi Whites v Quetta at Karachi in 1976/77.

6. 555 (1st - wkt): Holmes/Sutcliffe Yorkshire v Essex at Leyton in 1932.

7. 554 (1st - wkt): Brown/Tunnicliffe Yorkshire v Derbyshire at Chesterfield in 1898.

8. 502 (unbroken) (4th - wkt): Worrell/Goddard Barbados v Trinidad and Tobago at Bridgetown in 1943/44.