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Wanindu, Dimuth heroics take Sri Lanka to super six in World Cup qualifiers

Published

2 years ago

June 26, 2023

Editor

Sri Lanka booked their slot in the Super Six stage of the Cricket World Cup qualifying tournament after a dominant 133-run win over Ireland in their third game on Sunday.

The win sealed Sri Lanka’s spot in the super six stage. Scotland and Oman also advanced to the super six stage after finishing second and third respectively in Group B.

Earlier put into bat first Sri Lanka were in some sort of trouble when they were at 48-2 at the end of the powerplay.

Sri Lanka desperately needing a big partnership saw Dimuth Karunaratne and Sadeera Samarawickrama deliver when the duo mounted a rescue with a solid third-wicket partnership worth 168 to tilt the game back in Sri Lanka’s favour.

Opener Dimuth Karunaratne made a run-a-ball 103 and Sadeera Samarawickrama hit 82 as Sri Lanka compiled an imposing total of 325 all out off 49.5 overs.

Charith Asalanka (38) and Dhananjaya de Silva (42 not out) also chipped in as Ireland sought to limit the damage in the closing overs.

Dimuth notched up his maiden century after 12 years since he debuted.

In reply, Ireland could only manage 192 as Wanindu Hasaranga scalped another five-wicket haul. Besides that, Maheesh Theekshana also took 2/29. This was his third consecutive five-wicket haul in ODIs. With this, Hasaranga equals the world record for most consecutive five-fors in ODIs with Pakistan’s Waqar Younis.

In the post-match presentation, Sri Lanka skipper Dasun Shanaka lauded the boy’s effort especially Dimuth Karunaratne who went on to say opening batter Dimuth Karunaratne is the perfect player to lead their batting order.

“Everything is going in the right direction. We could have performed better with the bat towards the end. Perhaps the aggressive batting from myself and Wanindu didn’t yield the desired results in the latter part of the game,” said Shanaka.

He went on to say that Karunaratne is the perfect player to lead the team from the top of the batting order. Karunaratne scored 103 runs off as many balls, hitting eight boundaries in his innings against Ireland.

Meanwhile, Sri Lanka’s batter Dimuth Karunaratne who brought up his maiden ODI century was awarded ‘Player of the Match’ for his knock of 103, which contributed to a comprehensive win for Sri Lanka by 133 runs.
In the post-match conference, Karunaratne said he wants to make it big when he gets the start.

“Not at all (On whether the chance for ODI hundred had passed him), wanted to continue for the team. That’s what I do. If I get a start, I want to go for the big one. (On the pitch) In the morning, there is something for the bowlers, but when the swing stops we can get some boundaries. I was waiting for that, the first hour was about giving the bowlers respect. I try to apply the same technique, that is what has helped me score heavily in Test cricket. Don’t try to hit them hard, just time them well,” Karunaratne said.

Sri Lanka are all set to face Scotland in their next World Cup Qualifier match on June 27 at Bulawayo.

Sri Lanka: 325 all out in 49.5 overs (Dimuth Karunaratne 103, Sadeera Samarawickrama 82; Mark Adair 4/46, Barry McCarthy 3/56) vs Ireland: 192 all out in 31 overs (Curtis Campher 39, Harry Tector 33; Wanindu Hasaranga 5/79; Maheesh Theekshana 2-29)

Cricket

Sri Lanka Battles Hard on Day 1 of 2nd Test Against Australia in Galle

Published

5 hours ago

February 6, 2025

Editor

Sri Lanka put up a determined fight on the opening day of the second Test against Australia at Galle International Stadium, reaching 229/9 at stumps after 90 overs. Batting first after winning the toss, the home side faced a relentless Australian spin attack, with Nathan Lyon (3/78), Mitchell Starc (3/37), and Matthew Kuhnemann (2/53) causing significant damage.

Chandimal & Kusal Mendis Lead Resistance

Veteran batter Dinesh Chandimal anchored the Sri Lankan innings with a composed 74 off 163 balls, featuring six boundaries and one six. He was well-supported by wicketkeeper Kusal Mendis, who remained unbeaten on 59 off 107 balls, displaying grit and determination.

Despite a promising 93-run partnership between Dimuth Karunaratne (36 off 83) and Chandimal, Sri Lanka struggled against Australia’s disciplined bowling attack. The hosts lost wickets at crucial intervals, including a golden duck for captain Dhananjaya de Silva.

Australia’s Spinners Dominate

Australia’s decision to play three frontline spinners paid off, as Nathan Lyon continued his dominance in Asian conditions, dismissing Pathum Nissanka, Karunaratne, and Angelo Mathews. Left-arm spinner Matthew Kuhnemann contributed with two key breakthroughs, while Travis Head chipped in with the dismissal of Kamindu Mendis.

Mitchell Starc proved lethal with the second new ball, claiming three wickets, including Ramesh Mendis (28), Prabath Jayasuriya (0), and Nishan Peiris (0) in quick succession.

Match Situation & Day 2 Preview

With Sri Lanka ending Day 1 at 229/9, much will depend on how long Lahiru Kumara and Kusal Mendis can extend the innings on Day 2. Australia will be aiming for an early breakthrough to put themselves in a commanding position.

Stay tuned for more updates on Sri Lanka vs. Australia 2nd Test at Sri Lankan Sports TV.

Keywords: Sri Lanka vs Australia, 2nd Test, Galle Test, Sri Lanka Cricket, Australia Cricket, Test Match, Nathan Lyon, Dinesh Chandimal, Kusal Mendis, ICC World Test Championship, Cricket News, Sri Lanka Sports News.

Cricket

Sri Lanka vs Australia 2nd Test: Spin to Dominate as Galle Pitch Set to Turn

Published

1 day ago

February 5, 2025

Editor

As Sri Lanka prepares to take on Australia in the second Test in Galle, all eyes are on the pitch conditions, which appear significantly drier than in the opening match. With intense heat baking the surface over the past few days, expectations are high for a spin-friendly track that could heavily influence the outcome of the game.

Sri Lanka Aiming to Maximize Spin Advantage

Sri Lanka captain Dhananjaya de Silva has expressed confidence in his team’s spinners, emphasizing that Galle has historically been a venue where spin bowlers thrive. After suffering a crushing defeat in the first Test, where Australia posted 654/6 declared and Sri Lanka managed only 165 and 247, the home team is looking to bounce back by capitalizing on the turning track.

“Our strength has always been spin bowling, and history shows that spinners have been among the top wicket-takers at this venue,” said de Silva. “We hope our bowlers can use these conditions to their advantage.”

Australia Prepared for Spinning Conditions

Despite Sri Lanka’s reliance on spin, Australia has adapted remarkably well to turning pitches. In the first Test, they fielded a three-man spin attack with Nathan Lyon, Matthew Kuhnemann, and Todd Murphy—who collectively claimed 17 wickets. Their ability to exploit subcontinent conditions has been shaped by extensive preparations, including training camps in Dubai and studying India’s successful spin strategies.

Australian stand-in captain Steven Smith noted that their strategy has been influenced by India’s success in such conditions. “We’ve taken a page out of India’s playbook by using multiple spinners who can create pressure and take wickets. Having three frontline spinners allows us to rotate bowlers and keep the attack fresh, which is crucial in these conditions.”

Sri Lanka’s Batting Needs to Step Up

Sri Lanka’s batting lineup struggled against Australia’s spinners in the first Test, with many batters getting starts but failing to convert them into significant scores. De Silva stressed the importance of building big innings, similar to how Australia did in the first game.

“In the first Test, several batters got starts but didn’t go on to score centuries. This time, we need someone to anchor the innings with a 150 or 200, allowing others to bat around them and post a competitive total,” he added.

A Classic Galle Thriller on the Cards?

With both teams armed with quality spinners and a dry surface expected to break up early, the second Test could turn into a low-scoring battle of attrition. While Sri Lanka looks to bounce back and leverage home conditions, Australia is determined to continue its dominant run with a well-rounded spin strategy.

The action kicks off on Thursday, with cricket fans expecting another enthralling chapter in this exciting Test series.

Cricket

Dimuth Karunaratne to Retire After 100th Test Against Australia in Galle

Published

2 days ago

February 4, 2025

Editor

Sri Lanka’s veteran opener Dimuth Karunaratne has announced his retirement from Test cricket, marking his 100th Test match against Australia in Galle as his final appearance in the longest format. The experienced left-hander, who debuted at the same venue in 2012, will step away after an illustrious 12-year career.

Reasons Behind the Decision

Karunaratne’s retirement is influenced by three key factors:

Sri Lanka’s limited Test schedule, with only two matches scheduled until May 2026.
A dip in form, averaging 27.05 since 2024.
The end of the current World Test Championship (WTC) cycle, making it an ideal time to transition younger players into the squad.

“It felt like the right time to step away, especially with a few young players ready for the next WTC cycle. Finishing in Galle, where I started my career, makes it even more special,”

Karunaratne shared.

A Legacy in Sri Lankan Cricket

Karunaratne will become Sri Lanka’s seventh cricketer to achieve 100 Test appearances, joining legends such as Sanath Jayasuriya, Muttiah Muralitharan, Chaminda Vaas, Mahela Jayawardene, Kumar Sangakkara, and Angelo Mathews.

With over 7,000 Test runs at an average close to 40, he remains Sri Lanka’s highest-scoring opener in Test history. His career highlights include:

16 Test centuries & 39 half-centuries
244 – Career-best score
30 Tests as captain, leading Sri Lanka to a historic 2-0 Test series win in South Africa (2019)
Played 50 ODIs, including leading Sri Lanka in the 2019 ICC Cricket World Cup

What’s Next for Karunaratne?

Now residing in Melbourne, Karunaratne has expressed interest in coaching after a break from cricket. “I’d love to get involved again in the game,” he stated, hinting at a future role in cricket development.

As Sri Lanka prepares to face Australia in the second Test, Karunaratne’s farewell at Galle International Stadium will be an emotional moment for Sri Lankan cricket fans.