Sangakkara brings all-round qualities to Sri Lanka team

COLOMBO, Feb 22 (Reuters) Kumar Sangakkara is Sri Lanka's leading all rounder, a student of law with a passion for literature, their best batsman and an inspirational wicketkeeper.

The 29-year-old is in the prime of his career and he holds a key responsibility batting at number four, the old batting position of Aravinda de Silva.

De Silva was Sri Lanka's most prolific batsman when they won the World Cup in 1996 (448 runs at 89.60) and many believe Sangakkara is the man most likely to emulate his heroics.

Sangakkara starts the tournament with 1,333 runs and 44.43 in 2006, more ODI runs than any other player in the world.

Moreover, his mental resilience has enabled him to score many of those runs under extreme pressure. He will be relied upon to deliver when it matters most.

''I am very clear about my role as a batsman in this team, I have to bat to the end of the innings whether we are batting first or chasing,'' he told Reuters.

''We have some exciting and explosive players at the top of the order and some talent in the middle order, my job is to hold it all together by putting big scores on the board.'' While Sangakkara holds a pivotal position in the batting order he also plays a crucial role in the field as the wicket-keeper and vice-captain.

His presence balances the team, allowing enough room for a fifth specialist bowler or an extra batsman if conditions demand.

''Kumar is an exceptional cricketer with a very strong mind,'' skipper Mahela Jayawardene told Reuters. ''He is a very important part of our one-day side because he is a genuine all-rounder who could claim a place in the side as a specialist batsman or wicketkeeper.'' Sangakkara is also renowned as a feisty competitor, a cricketer not afraid to speak his mind in the heat of battle, a trait that has led to him being labelled one of the games leading ''sledgers''.

Born in the hill station town of Kandy he was given a traditional English education at Trinity College, one of Sri Lanka's oldest schools.

He was also a brilliant tennis player, representing Sri Lanka schools, but opted instead for a career in cricket.

Between tours he is studying to be a lawyer, like his father, and he also has a deep passion for literature, especially Oscar Wilde and classical Russian authors.

Since making his debut in 2000 he has already played 189 matches scoring 5,476 runs at 36.26. He has claimed 166 catches and an astonishing 48 stumpings.

REUTERS AY VC0950