Sangakkara and Jayawardene set partnership milestone

COLOMBO, July 29 (Reuters) Sri Lanka's Mahela Jayawardene and Kumar Sangakkara broke the record for the highest partnership in test cricket, reaching 578 runs after lunch on the third day of the first test against South Africa today.

The previous 576-run record set by Sanath Jayasuriya and Roshan Mahanama against India in 1997 was broken as wicketkeeper Mark Boucher conceded four byes down the leg side off the bowling of left-arm spinner Nicky Boje.

Celebrated with firecrackers around the Sinhalese Sports Club Ground, the new milestone was reached with skipper Jayawardene on 278 and Sangakkara on 273, both personal bests.

REUTERS PM HS1347