Monday 15 December 2014 19:27, UK
Sir Ian Botham is tipping Kumar Sangakkara to maintain his brilliant form for Sri Lanka against England in Tuesday's final one-day international in Colombo.
The Sri Lanka batsman, who is due to retire after the World Cup, signed off in his final ODI on his home ground at Pallekele on Saturday with a match-winning century to seal the series against England.
The 37-year-old has scored 421 runs at an average of 84 in the six matches and now needs 61 runs to break Ricky Ponting's record (2,833) for the most runs in a calendar year across all formats, set in 2005.
Sky Sports cricket commentator and Sky Bet tipster Botham said: "Kumar has played superbly in this series. He's been the best batsman on show and no doubt will want to sign off with another big score.
"Sri Lanka have wrapped up the series and he'll be looking to top Ricky Ponting's record and that would be fitting in front of the Sri Lankan supporters."
Botham has put up Sangakkara to top score in the last three matches and is expecting the left-hander to return for punters again at the Premadasa Stadium at odds of 5/2, one of his tips for England's final match of 2014.
Beefy is also sticking with Joe Root (4/1) to top score for England again after the Yorkshireman followed up his century with 55 in the 90-run defeat on Saturday.
The former all-rounder also backed Steven Finn to be England's leading wicket-taker in Pallekele and the Middlesex paceman was one of three bowlers who picked up a couple of wickets to return at odds of 4/1. The Root/Finn double paid out at odds of 28/1 with Sky Bet.
Botham, who has backed England in each of the matches in the series, admits it's hard to see the tourists end on a high on a ground they have already suffered three defeats on in this series so far.
Sri Lanka have played well in this series and I think Angelo Mathews will be desperate to go into the World Cup with another win under his belt.
He added: "It's got to be Sri Lanka for me. They have played well in this series and I think Angelo Mathews will be desperate to go into the World Cup with another win under his belt."
Sri Lanka - 8/13
Joe Root top England runs - 4/1
Kumar Sangakkara top Sri Lanka bat - 5/2
Chris Woakes most England wickets -100/30
Joe Root top England bat and Chris Woakes top England bowler - 22/1
Joe Root England top bat and Kumar Sangakkara Sri Lanka most runs - 18/1
Kumar Sangakkara man-of-the-match - 11/2
