Sri Lanka’s Sangakkara lauds Strauss’s gesture

JOHANNESBURG, September 26, 2009 (AFP) - Sri Lanka captain Kumar Sangakkara has praised his England counterpart Andrew Strauss for recalling his batsman after he was run out during a Champions Trophy match here on Friday. Sri Lankan Angelo Mathews turned England fast bowler Graham Onions to square-leg and completed a first run comfortably but collided with the bowler going for a second.

Wicket-keeper Matt Prior effected the run out after receiving the throw.

Mathews stood briefly at the pitch before walking back to the pavilion, but Strauss called the batsman back in a rare sporting gesture.

"It was an excellent gesture of sportsmanship and in the spirit of the game. It might have been an accident but, at the end of the day, the right thing was done," said Sangakkara.

The England skipper justified his decision.

"I didn't see it because I was watching the ball at the time. I then had a chance to look at the replay and the umpires said 'Well, it's up to you if you want to call him back'," said Strauss.

"My feelings on it were that it just didn't look right.

I also thought he was going to get back for the two quite comfortably if he hadn't collided.

"I would certainly say that