Dimuth Karunaratne

Dimuth Karunaratne
දිමුත් කරුණාරත්න
Personal information
Full name Frank Dimuth Madushanka Karunaratne
Born (1988-04-21) 21 April 1988
Colombo, Sri Lanka
Nickname Dimma
Height 6 ft 0 in (1.83 m)
Batting Left-handed
Bowling Right-arm medium
Role Opening Batsman
Relations Anuradha Kurukulasooriya (wife) (m.2015)
International information
National side
Test debut (cap 123) 17 November 2012 v New Zealand
Last Test 20 July 2018 v South Africa
ODI debut (cap 146) 9 July 2011 v England
Last ODI 1 March 2015 v England
ODI shirt no. 21
Domestic team information
YearsTeam
2008–present Sinhalese Sports Club
2009 Basnahira North
2010–present Wayamba
Career statistics
Competition Test ODI FC LA
Matches 51 17 143 104
Runs scored 3,542 190 10,510 2,838
Batting average 37.28 15.83 46.46 31.18
100s/50s 8/17 0/1 35/43 4/16
Top score 196 60 212 120
Balls bowled 144 10 574 22
Wickets 1 0 3 2
Bowling average 97.00 – 116.33 16.00
5 wickets in innings 0 – – 0
10 wickets in match 0 – – 0
Best bowling 1/31 – 1/5 2/13
Catches/stumpings 43/0 4/0 151/1 47/–
Source: ESPN Cricinfo, 23 July 2018

Frank Dimuth Madushanka Karunaratne (Sinhalese: දිමුත් කරුණාරත්න) or Dimuth Karunaratne, (born 21 April 1988) is a professional Sri Lankan cricketer. He is a left-handed player who represent the country in both Tests and ODIs, and plays first class cricket for the Sinhalese Sports Club. Though not playing limited overs for Sri Lanka currently, Karunaratne is the permanent opening batsman for Sri Lanka in Test cricket.[1]

Since 2015, Karunaratne became the leading batsman for Sri Lanka in many Tests due to his remarkable century making in the second innings of Test matches.[2] He was described as second-innings specialist by many commentators. He scored 4 centuries in second innings out of the 6 centuries made until October 2017.[3] On 7 October 2017, Karunaratne became the second Sri Lankan opener after Tillakaratne Dilshan to score three Test centuries in a calendar year.

Personal life

Dimuth Karunaratne is married to the model and teledrama actress, Anuradha Kurukulasooriya. The wedding was held on 29 April 2015 at Gangaramaya Temple, Colombo with the presence of President Maithreepala Sirisena. The home coming party was celebrated at Avenra Garden Hotel, Negombo on next day.[4][5][6] He is also cousins with the legendary computing teacher, Mr K.

Early and domestic career

Karunaratne attended the prestigious St. Joseph's College, Colombo, which has produced a number of Sri Lankan test cricketers such as Chaminda Vaas, Angelo Mathews and Thisara Perera. He was a record-breaking batsman for the school's cricket team.[7] After featuring in Sri Lanka's Under-19 and A squads, he was called into the senior One Day International (ODI) team for the series against England and Scotland in June and July 2011.[8] He played in two matches on the tour, scoring four runs against England in Manchester, and 60 against Scotland in Edinburgh.[1] He was selected in Sri Lanka's Test squad for its tour of South Africa at the end of 2011, although did not play in any of the three Tests.[9]

In March 2018, he was named as the captain of Dambulla's squad for the 2017–18 Super Four Provincial Tournament.[10][11] The following month, he was also named in Dambulla's squad for the 2018 Super Provincial One Day Tournament.[12]

In August 2018, he was named as the vice-captain of Galle's squad the 2018 SLC T20 League.[13]

International career

Early days

He was recalled into the Test squad for the home Tests against New Zealand during late 2012. He got the opportunity due to Tillakaratne Dilshan being unable to make the XI because of an injury. He debuted in the first Test in that series, in Galle, only to get out for a duck in the first innings. However, he came back strongly in the 2nd innings with an unbeaten half century and hit the winning runs as well.[14] Following the New Zealand series he was called into the test squad which was to tour Australia for a three test match series. During the first two tests in that series he failed to have an impact as he struggled against the Australian pace attack. In the final test of the series in Sydney he managed to get his highest test score of 85 in the second innings.

His maiden century came against New Zealand on 28 December 2014 at Hagley Oval, Christchurch. He scored 152 runs from 363 balls in the second match of the series, where Sri Lanka in deep trouble of even draw the match. Eventually, Sri Lanka lost the match.

He was picked to the original squad of 2015 ICC Cricket World Cup, but during a practice match, he broke a bone in his right hand and was removed from the team after the match against England. Kusal Perera replaced to Dimuth's place.[15]

His second Test hundred came against Pakistan in Kandy, scored 133 runs in first innings of the third match of the series. As his first Test century became waste, nothing different in this time. Sri Lanka lost the match by 7 wickets.

Up and down in 2015-16

His highest score in Test cricket was recorded during the first Test against West Indies in 2015 at Galle. He scored magnificent 186 runs and unfortunately got out in bowling of Marlon Samuels. He with Dinesh Chandimal, who also scored a century, recorded the highest partnership for the third wickelt at Galle, by scoring 238 runs. Sri Lanka easily defeated West Indies by an innings and 5 runs.

Karunaratne showed very poor performance at home against Australia. He was trapped lbw and caught five times to Mitchell Starc in the first over of the each innings. He only scored 41 runs in three matches, including five single-digit scores, at average of 6.83 in six innings against Australia. Despite his poor performance, Sri Lanka whitewashed Australia 3–0 for the first time.

Karunaratne was named captain of the A team for the first two four-day games at home against West Indies A.[16] He scored 131 in first innings and 39* in second innings, guides Sri Lanka A to seven-wicket win.[17][18] This strong comeback gave him to name for the Test team for Zimbabwe tour in late October 2016.

Permanent opener in Tests

During the first innings of the first Test against Zimbabwe, Karunaratne scored a fifty and in second innings scored his fourth Test century. Sri Lanka finally won the match by 225 runs. In the second Test, he scored 88 runs in the second innings, guided Sri Lanka to post impossible chasing to Zimbabwe.[19] With impressive bowling by skipper Rangana Herath, Sri Lanka won the match by 257 runs, and whitewashed the series 2–0. Karunaratne won player of the series for his batting performance, scored 280 runs at an average of 70.00.[20]

He took his maiden Test wicket by dismissing Indian batsman Cheteshwar Pujara during the second test at SSC. In the second innings of the same match, he scored his fifth test century on 6 August 2017 against India and had a century partnership with Kusal Mendis. However, his century did not change the results for Sri Lanka, where they lost the match by an innings and 53 runs. This was the first time that India won a test match by an innings against Sri Lanka in Sri Lanka.[21] Sri Lanka lost all three matches against India in that series.[22]

Sri Lanka played their first day-night Test on 6 October 2017 at the Dubai International Cricket Stadium against Pakistan. In the match, Karunatane scored mighty innings of 196 and Sri Lanka scored 400+ in their first innings. With that, Karunaratne became the first Sri Lankan to score 50, 100 and 150 in a day-night Test as well.[23][24] He fell just short 4 runs away by the double century, when Karunaratne poked at a short delivery that came back slightly off the seam and the ball took his inside edge, hit his thigh pad, and clattered into his stumps.[25] However, in the second innings, Sri Lanka were all out for just 96 runs. With the help of bowling department, Sri Lanka won the match by 68 runs after a thrilling finish in the fifth day. For his batting performances throughout the Test series, Karunaratne was adjudged both Man of the match of second match and Player of series awards.[26]

During the first innings of second Test against India, Karunaratne completed 1000 Test run in a year 2017 with the average of 42.41. He was the second batsman to get to 1000 Test runs in 2017, after South African opener Dean Elgar.[27][28] He was the seventh Sri Lankan to score 1000 Test runs in a calendar year as well.

In May 2018, he was one of 33 cricketers to be awarded a national contract by Sri Lanka Cricket ahead of the 2018–19 season.[29][30]

On 12 July 2018 during first test against South Africa, Karunaratne played his 50th test match. He celebrated the match with a magnificent century.[31] He scored unbeaten 158 runs, and became the fourth batsman for Sri Lanka to carry his bat in Tests after Sidath Wettimuny, Marvan Atapattu and Russell Arnold.[32] He also became the third Sri Lankan after Sanath Jayasuriya and Tillakaratne Dilshan to made a hundred in their 50th Test.[33] Sri Lanka won the match within three day, where South Africa was dismissed to their lowest team total since readmission. Karunaratne scored 60 runs in the second innings, which is also the highest score in the innings for Sri Lanka.[34]

During the match, Karunaratne scored 218 runs, while South Africa made a combined total of 199 in the both innings. He was the only man to score more than 50 runs in the match, where all other 21 players did not scored more than 40s. Due to his high class match winning performances, he won the man of the match award.[35] He continued the best form in the second test as well,[36] where he scored fifties in the both innings for Sri Lanka with 53 and 85 respectively.[37] Eventually, Sri Lanka won the second test by 199 runs and sealed the series 2-0.[38] Due to his impressive batting performance throughout the series, he won the man of the match award and player of the series award.[39]

References

  1. 1 2 "Dimuth Karunaratne: Sri Lanka". www.cricinfo.com. ESPNcricinfo. Retrieved 17 December 2011.
  2. ↑ "Inside the heart of a Karunaratne classic". ESPN Cricinfo. Retrieved 8 October 2017.
  3. ↑ "Second Innings wonder by Karunaratne". ESPN Cricinfo. Retrieved 8 August 2017.
  4. ↑ http://gossip.hirufm.lk/4620/2015/04/dimuth-karunaratne-wedding.html
  5. ↑ http://www.islandcricket.lk/albums/photos/srilankacricket/42461
  6. ↑ http://elakolla.com/cricket/cricketimg/?id=4067
  7. ↑ "Record breaker Dimuth helps Joes pile up 335/5". Daily News (Sri Lanka). 3 March 2007. Archived from the original on 15 April 2011. Retrieved 17 December 2011.
  8. ↑ "Jayasuriya back in SL limited-overs squad". ESPNcricinfo. 9 June 2011. Retrieved 17 December 2011.
  9. ↑ "Mendis back for Sri Lanka tour to South Africa". Times of India. 22 November 2011. Retrieved 17 December 2011.
  10. ↑ "Cricket: Mixed opinions on Provincial tournament". Sunday Times (Sri Lanka). 26 March 2018. Retrieved 27 March 2018.
  11. ↑ "All you need to know about the SL Super Provincial Tournament". Daily Sports. 26 March 2018. Retrieved 27 March 2018.
  12. ↑ "SLC Super Provincial 50 over tournament squads and fixtures". The Papare. Retrieved 27 April 2018.
  13. ↑ "SLC T20 League 2018 squads finalized". The Papare. Retrieved 16 August 2018.
  14. ↑ "1st Test: Sri Lanka v New Zealand at Galle, Nov 17–19, 2012". ESPNcricinfo. 19 November 2012. Retrieved 20 November 2012.
  15. ↑ http://www.srilankacricket.lk/news/dimuth-karunaratne-injured
  16. ↑ "Karunaratne, Thirimanne in Sri Lanka A squad". ESPNcricinfo. 29 September 2016. Retrieved 29 September 2016.
  17. ↑ "Karunaratne 131 pips Cornwall six-for to put Sri Lanka A ahead". ESPNcricinfo. 5 October 2016. Retrieved 5 October 2016.
  18. ↑ "Karunaratne guides SL A to seven-wicket win". ESPNcricinfo. 7 October 2016. Retrieved 7 October 2016.
  19. ↑ "Herath ten-for puts Sri Lanka on the brink". ESPNcricinfo. 9 November 2016. Retrieved 9 November 2016.
  20. ↑ "Herath caps series sweep with 13-for". ESPNcricinfo. 10 November 2016. Retrieved 10 November 2016.
  21. ↑ "India's first innings win in Sri Lanka". ESPN Cricinfo. Retrieved 5 August 2017.
  22. ↑ "Jadeja's five-for wraps up India's first innings win in Sri Lanka". ESPN Cricinfo. Retrieved 8 August 2017.
  23. ↑ "Karunaratne's hunger for long innings". ESPN Cricinfo. Retrieved 8 October 2017.
  24. ↑ "Karunaratne ton helps Sri Lanka build steadily". ESPN Cricinfo. Retrieved 8 October 2017.
  25. ↑ "Sri Lanka in control after Karunaratne 196". ESPN Cricinfo. Retrieved 8 October 2017.
  26. ↑ "Dilruwan's five-for seals memorable series sweep". ESPN Cricinfo. Retrieved 10 October 2017.
  27. ↑ "2017 test matches most runs". ESPN Cricinfo. Retrieved 27 November 2017.
  28. ↑ "Thirimanne the bunny, and Ashwin-Jadeja v Kumble-Harbhajan". ESPN Cricinfo. Retrieved 24 November 2017.
  29. ↑ "Sri Lanka assign 33 national contracts with pay hike". International Cricket Council. Retrieved 22 May 2018.
  30. ↑ "Sri Lankan players to receive pay hike". ESPN Cricinfo. Retrieved 22 May 2018.
  31. ↑ "Karunaratne's self-deprecating, myth-busting masterclass". ESPN Cricinfo.
  32. ↑ "Dimuth Karunaratne becomes the 4th Sri Lankan to carry the bat through a completed innings". Cricket Country. Retrieved 12 July 2018.
  33. ↑ "Karunaratne celebrates 50th Test in style". ESPN Cricinfo. Retrieved 12 July 2018.
  34. ↑ "Karunaratne reveals strategy to tackle spinners". ESPN Cricinfo.
  35. ↑ "Dimuth Karunaratne 218, South Africa 199". ESPN Cricinfo. Retrieved 12 July 2018.
  36. ↑ "Dimuth Karunaratne builds lead after spinners rout South Africa again". ESPN Cricinfo. Retrieved 23 July 2018.
  37. ↑ "Spinners put Sri Lanka in sight of 2-0 series win". ESPN Cricinfo.
  38. ↑ "Herath six-for completes 2-0 after de Bruyn's fighting 101". ESPN Cricinfo.
  39. ↑ "Karunaratne has been brilliant in the last year or so - Mathews". ESPN Cricinfo.
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