PRESTON Mommsen has called on Scotland to learn from streetwise Sri Lanka after their World Cup win drought continued in Hobart last night.

The Scots went into their penultimate Pool A clash at the Bellerive Oval hoping it would be thirteenth time lucky on the global stage.

And, although they went down fighting, Mommsen's men were on the receiving end of a batting masterclass from record-breaking Kumar Sangakkara.

The veteran left-hander became the first batsman in history to score four consecutive centuries in ODIs and World Cups as Sri Lanka rattled-up 363-9 - the highest total ever conceded by Scotland in 50-over matches.

Tillakaratne Dilshan also reached three figures before the Scottish bowlers fought back to prevent even greater carnage.

A century stand between Mommsen and Freddie Coleman gave the Scots some respectability but they went down by 148 runs in the end.

Mommsen admitted: “Today was a brilliant day for learning.

“We have to look at it as a huge learning experience especially the way their batsmen went about their business.

“They were calm all the way through and paced their innings superbly. I would have to say that Sangakkara is the No1 player we have played against.

“It was very testing for our bowlers.”

It looked promising for the Scots when, after losing the toss, Ali Evans made the breakthrough to remove Lahiru Thirimanne with just 21 runs on the board.

But Dilshan and Sangakkara embarked on a brilliant partnership of 195 to take the game away from the underdogs.

Dilshan was first to his century, facing just 97 deliveries and thumping nine boundaries and one maximum.

But Sangakarra was even more punishing on the Scottish bowlers with an imperious display of shot-making.

The 37 year-old went on top-score with 124 from a mere 95 balls, hitting thirteen fours and clearing the rope on four occasions.

But the Scots fought back impressively with Josh Davey removing both centurions in quick succession and adding the wicket of Mahele Jaywardene to soar to the top of the wicket-taking charts at this tournament.

Evans and Richie Berrington had two wickets apiece while Rob Taylor was the most economical of the bowlers.

Coleman and Calum MacLeod held three catches apiece as the Scots pegged back their rivals who had looked on course for 400+.

They still had plenty of runs especially when Kyle Coetzer, the century star against Bangladesh, fell for a duck to Lasith Malinga in the first over.

MacLeod and Matt Machan also went cheaply before Scotland again showed their fighting spirit as Coleman and Mommsen added 118 for the fourth wicket.

Both batsmen reached half-centuries before the latter fell for 60 while Coleman, who outscored his captain, went on to reach his highest ODI tally of 70.

The young Warwickshire batsman faced 74 balls and stroked seven boundaries but was one of three wickets to fall during a disastrous batting power-play which saw the Scots add just 19 runs for the loss of three wickets.

That signalled the end of any lingering hopes Scotland may have had of pushing Sri Lanka close and they were eventually all out for 215 with almost seven over remaining.

Mommsen admitted: “Freddie and I got a nice partnership going a created a bit of a platform so it is disappointing not to have taken the game deeper.

“From my own point of view I am disappointed not to have gone on and made a bigger score for the team.

“But we have to learn from the experience - this if the level we want to compete at and we want to play the Full Members more often.”