Kumar Sangakkara scores a point

Kumar Sangarakka’s latest record has put him in the league of greatest batsmen of all-time

Sri Lankan batsman Kumar Sangakkara joined an elite group of cricketers on Saturday when he became only the fifth to make 12,000-runs in his career. Satish Kumar / The National

Kumar Sangakkara entered his name in the record books once again after he reached 12,000 runs in Test cricket yesterday during the first innings of the second series against New Zealand in Wellington. The feat has served to reaffirm the Sri Lankan’s status as one of the greatest batsmen. The previous record-holders include Sachin Tendulkar, Ricky Ponting, Rahul Dravid and Jacques Kallis.

Since launching his Test career in 2000, the prolific left-hander has made an impressive average of over 58.78, which is higher than those of some of the all-time greats such as Tendulkar, Sir Viv Richards, Ponting, Steve Waugh, Dravid, Brian Lara and Gavaskar. Sangakkara – who is rumoured to be retiring this year – last year became the second highest double-ton scorer after Sir Don Bradman.

Now all that remains for him to be ticked off would be a World Cup triumph for Sri Lanka in March, to go alongside his personal batting achievements. That would be a fitting finale to a glorious career.