3 Batting pairs which batted the entire day to change the course of a Test match

#2 Kumar Sangakkara and Mahela Jayawardene (357 runs against South Africa in Colombo in 2006)

Kumar Sangakkara and Mahela Jayawardene hold the record for the highest 3rd wicket partnership of 624 runs

The first Test match of South Africa’s tour of Sri Lanka commenced on the 27th of July, 2006. The South African team was being captained by Ashwell Prince. The Sri Lankan team took the field without their veteran bowler, Chaminda Vaas who was ruled out of the first Test due to a hamstring injury.

The Sri Lankans began the Test on a dominating note as they had sent half the South African batting line up with the score at 112 for 5. The resolute innings of 65 of AB de Villiers took the South Africans to a total of 169.

The South Africans began well as they sent both the Sri Lankan openers back to the pavilion with the score 14 for 2. Little did the world know then that they would be witnessing history being made by the batting pair of Kumar Sangakkara and Mahela Jayawardene.

The experienced pair led the Sri Lankan charge as they smashed the South African bowlers to score 357 runs in the day to take the Sri Lankans to a comfortable position. The pair continued from where they left off on the next day to pile up the world record partnership of 624 for the third wicket.

Mahela scored 374 runs nearing Brian Lara’s record innings of 400 whereas Sangakkara scored 287 runs with both batsmen batting over 11 hours each. This handed the Sri Lankans a victory by an inning and 153 runs.