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Return as captain only temporary: Sangakkara

Sangakkara stood down as his country’s captain in April, three days after the defeat to India in the World Cup final, so the team could plan for the future with a view to the 2015 World Cup.

However, with a broken right thumb ruling out successor Tillakaratne Dilshan for the decisive third test at Southampton — which starts on Thursday — Sangakkara is back in command in what he claims is simply a temporary measure.

“When I was first approached to captain the side, I wasn’t ready to take it on because the fact was I had given it up after two successful years,” the 33-year-old Sangakkara said. “Unfortunately, there was no vice captain appointed for this test series, so the side was left in a bit of a problem with no one to step in.

“So with a lot of deep thought and considering the needs of the side and Sri Lanka, I decided to say yes to captaining Sri Lanka again for a final time in this test.”

Selflessly stepping aside after describing himself as a “remnant of the past,” Sangakkara has no regrets about a decision made before the World Cup began.

“Looking from the outside in, it’s sometimes difficult to fathom why a decision like that could be made but once you’re in the team, and in that environment ... captaining Sri Lanka is a job that ages you very quickly,” he said.

“I stepped down and thought I was done with it, but I was clearly wrong. I’m back one last time.”

Sri Lanka is 1-0 down to England heading into the final match of the three-test series and needs Sangakkara to hit the ground running at the Rose Bowl in Southampton.

Without Dilshan, who has been the tourists’ leading batsman this series with an average of 84.33 across two tests, Sangakkara acknowledges the team is up against it.

“He’s a significant loss really in both capacities, as an opening batsman and captain. He’s been the one batsman who’s stood out among us, even the tour games, and it would have been great for him to be available to captain the third test and finish the series on a high,” Sangakkara said.

“It’s a case of regrouping and making sure I’m transparent and clear with my communications with my teammates. Also, that they are forthright and honest with me. It’s a case of sitting down and seeing what options are available as a team.”

Sangakkara has struggled for runs this series — in four innings, his top score is 26 — and the added responsibility of the captaincy may not help him rediscover his touch.

A century against county side Essex in a warmup match last week will have boosted his confidence but England’s bowling attack, strengthened by the return of James Anderson from a side strain, will sense the Sri Lanka batting lineup is there for the taking without the presence of Dilshan.

“It’s something I have to take in my stride,” Sangakkara said of his disappointing recent form that has seen him score 11, 14, 26 than 12 in the series. “It could happen to anyone so it’s not really a worry to me.”