The following article was taken from the BBC website and demonstrates the importance of practice. The 2008 season may seem a long way off, but the practice needs to be put in to reap the results.

Sri Lanka batsman Kumar Sangakkara said hard work was the secret to his record-breaking run of scores.

The left-hander became the first Test player to score more than 150 in four consecutive matches after hitting a superb 152 against England.

His incredible form started nine Tests ago when he gave up wicket-keeping.

"I haven't changed anything at all - I just practise a lot better now because I am probably more aware of my game and what works for me," he said.

"I know when I go out there I am ready to play. Sticking to the basics is always what I do."

Sangakkara, who missed a century by eight runs in the first innings, was dropped on 98 by Ian Bell at first slip off Ryan Sidebottom.

He made his former Warwickshire county colleague suffer by completing his 16th Test century - and his first against England - as the hosts amassed a commanding 422-8 to set an unlikely victory target of 350.

Sangakarra has now compiled 1,529 runs in 14 innings, including three double hundreds and four hundreds, since concentrating on batting from July 2006.