Sangakkara gets standing ovation

Kumar Sangakkara received a standing ovation for his delivery of the 11th MCC Spirit of Cricket Cowdrey Lecture at Lord’s on Monday 4 July 2011.

Lords’ web site said Sangakkara received a standing ovation for his stirring, eloquent speech, which focused on the history of cricket in his native Sri Lanka.

It touched upon issues including the 2009 terrorist attacks against the Sri Lanka team, governance of the game within the country and the passion with which it is followed by his people.

The former Sri Lanka captain was the first person from his country to give the annual lecture and the first current international player to make the address.

The 33-year-old also succeeds former Australia wicket-keeper batsman Adam Gilchrist as the youngest man to deliver the MCC SoC Cowdrey Lecture.