Legends Month: The best of Sangakkara

There were probably a dozen periods throughout his glorious career that it was said that Sri Lankan legend Kumar Sangakkara was 'in the form of his life'. 

A delightful stroke-maker whose Test records stacks up against just about anyone, Sangakkara made runs against all opponents in all conditions.

And while the prospect of playing quality pace in Australia proved the Achilles heel of many batsmen from the subcontinent, the left-handed Sangakkara found a way to revel in it. 

It was never more the case than in Hobart in November 2007, when the Sri Lankan master made his lone appearance in a two-Test series, making 57 in the first innings before compiling a jaw-dropping 192 in the second, and threatening a truly miraculous heist in the process.

Set 507 to win by the Australians, who led the series 1-0, Sangakkara teamed up with Marvan Atapattu (80) and then Sanath Jayasuriya (45) to ensure the tourists put in a respectable showing. In fact, at 3-265 early on the final day and the experienced pair well settled, the unthinkable was briefly being contemplated. 

Cue a dramatic Sri Lankan collapse of 5-25 and suddenly any anticipation had been taken out of the game. 

But Sangakkara was playing a different game.

As he watched the procession of batsmen come and go at the other end, he ensured a piece of advice from Sri Lanka's Australian-born coach was front of mind. 

"Trevor Bayliss was coaching and he said to me, 'Sanga, the most important thing in Australia is you've got to understand that, even though there's good bounce and carry, you've got to be right over the ball on the front foot, because if not, chances are you are hitting gully or third or fourth slip," Sangakkara told cricket.com.au. 

"So I remember making a conscious decision to take that big step down the track. And one of the things I still remember was that I drove really well; I drove Brett (Lee) and Mitchell Johnson and Stuey Clark really well, with a good, positive stride in. 

"I think Trevor's words to me really helped."

In one of the most memorable batting performances seen in Australia in the modern era, Sangakkara went at the Australians with gusto, as if deciding he alone would determine the outcome of the contest. His shot-making, based largely on the advice of Bayliss, was sublime. 

"I always liked pace over spin throughout my career," he said. "And the Australian wickets, once you understand how good they are for batting, and what you have to do to find your rhythm and be in sync, you actually start to really enjoy the challenge. 

"Yes, they are quick, bouncy tracks, but at the same time that allows you so much more freedom to bat, so much more opportunities in different ways to the subcontinent to score runs.

"It becomes a joy – and understanding that helped me a lot."

Sangakkara's innings was cruelly cut short on 192 when an incorrect umpiring decision adjudged him caught out when the ball had in fact come off his helmet. 

He was the last man to fall, with Sri Lanka still 93 short of their target, and viewers robbed of a potential grandstand finish. 

By the end of his career, the batting maestro's record in Australia matched the joy he felt performing in the country: 10 innings for five fifties and that special 192, at an average of 60.33.