Surrey grateful for Sangakkara’s return

Warwickshire 247 and 2 for 1 need a further 394 to beat Surrey 252 and 390 (Sangakkara 88, Curran 62, Wright 4-75)Scorecard

Kumar Sangakkara has just returned from helping Jamaica Tallawahs win the Caribbean Premier League. It is a tournament that makes no impact in England, and nor should it with the county season in full swing, although apparently there are people in high office at the ECB who are terrified that if it takes off further it could have a devastating effect on the health of the English game.

Whatever, Sangakkara is back from the badlands and playing his first Championship match for Surrey for two months. He could be forgiven if he was disorientated, struggling to adapt to the demands of life near the foot of Division One, and at 38 he could certainly be forgiven for being a little weary, but he does not do half measures. Wherever he plays, he plays with utter conviction, the transition made without complaint or a hint of unease.

There is a Surrey relegation struggle to address and, for three-and-a-quarter hours, he did just that, his composed 88 pronouncing that all would be well. With a lead of 38 at the start of the day, and nine second-innings wicket remaining, the game was keenly balanced, but Surrey looked secure when they were dismissed shortly before the close, setting 396 to win. Warwickshire, their Championship challenge fading fast, lost Ian Westwood to Tom Curran in the first over and look consigned to batting out the final day. If they fail, they …

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