Sangakkara misses out on joining The Don

Champion Sri Lanka batsman Kumar Sangakkara has fallen short in his quest to join the likes of Don Bradman in making a sixth consecutive first-class century.

Sri Lanka great Kumar Sangakkara has fallen 16 runs short of a sixth successive first-class century. (AAP)

Sri Lanka great Kumar Sangakkara has fallen 16 runs short of a record-equalling sixth successive first-class century for Surrey and the chance to join an elite group that includes Don Bradman.

Sangakkara was caught and bowled for 84 by Tom Westley as Surrey's County Championship Division One clash with Essex petered out into a draw at Chelmsford.

Had the 39-year-old reached triple figures, he would have joined Australian great Bradman, England's CB Fry and South African Mike Procter in making centuries in six consecutive first-class innings.

Elegant left-hander Sangakkara, who retired from Test cricket two years ago having scored 12,400 runs to sit fifth on the all-time list, will retire from first-class cricket at the end of the English season.

Former Sri Lanka captain Sangakkara's innings took his haul for the English summer to a whopping 876 runs at a staggering average of 109.5.