Latest news with #DimuthKarunaratne
Yahoo
09-02-2025
- Sport
- Yahoo
'Emotional' Karunaratne eyes coaching career after Test farewell
Sri Lanka's Dimuth Karunaratne said Sunday it had been "a very emotional day" after his 100th and final Test ended with a defeat to Australia. The veteran opening batsman Karunaratne was given the honour of bowling the final few balls as Australia wrapped up a nine-wicket win and series sweep before lunch on the fourth day in Galle. "It has been a long career -- after my family and friends, I was spending most time with my teammates," he said. "I am leaving them, but this team will be always in my heart." The 36-year-old former skipper was a rock at the top of the Sri Lankan order for more than a decade, but had gone 25 innings without a century. He had announced before the second Test in Galle that it would be his farewell to the five-day game. "When I started my cricket, I just wanted to play one Test match," he said. "To go on to play 100 Tests was amazing. Playing cricket for so long has been a privilege". Renowned for his cool head and affable nature, Karunaratne also proved a shrewd leader. Taking over the captaincy at a turbulent time in 2019, he led Sri Lanka to a historic series win in South Africa. To this day, Sri Lanka remain the only Asian team to conquer the Proteas in their own backyard. Karunaratne relinquished the captaincy in 2023, saying it was time for younger cricketers to lead. He said that after a playing career with "lots of happy memories" he now wanted to spend time with his family, and move into coaching. "I intend to take up coaching," he said Sunday. "I want to get qualified ... I will start coaching either here or overseas. str-pjm/dh
Khaleej Times
09-02-2025
- Sport
- Khaleej Times
'Emotional' Karunaratne eyes coaching career after Test farewell
Sri Lanka's Dimuth Karunaratne said on Sunday it had been "a very emotional day" after his 100th and final Test ended with a defeat to Australia. The veteran opening batsman Karunaratne was given the honour of bowling the final few balls as Australia wrapped up a nine-wicket win and series sweep before lunch on the fourth day in Galle. "It has been a long career -- after my family and friends, I was spending most time with my teammates," he said. "I am leaving them, but this team will be always in my heart." The 36-year-old former skipper was a rock at the top of the Sri Lankan order for more than a decade, but had gone 25 innings without a century. He said that after a playing career with "lots of happy memories" he now wanted to spend time with his family, and move into coaching. "I intend to take up coaching," he said on Sunday. "I want to get qualified ... I will start coaching either here or overseas. Meanwhile, a clinical Australia took a little over three days to pound Sri Lanka by nine wickets in the second Test and complete a 2-0 series sweep. Australia's first series victory in Sri Lanka since 2011 is a timely boost for a team that will be defending their World Test Championship (WTC) title in the final against South Africa in June. Australia were in the box seat having taken a decisive lead of 157 in the spin-dominated contest at the Galle International Stadium. When the fourth day's play started, the touring side needed 25 minutes to claim the last two Sri Lankan wickets and bowl out the hosts for 231 in their second innings. Steve Smith's men returned to chase down the 75-run target, losing the lone wicket of opener Travis Head. Usman Khawaja (27) and Marnus Labuschagne (26) guided Australia to victory with Karunaratne bowling the last over.
Yahoo
06-02-2025
- Sport
- Yahoo
Fluent Chandimal takes Sri Lanka to 87-1 in second Australia Test
A 64-run stand for the second wicket enabled Sri Lanka to reach 87-1 at lunch on the opening day of the second Test against Australia on Thursday. Dinesh Chandimal played fluently to be 35 not out at the break, with Dimuth Karunaratne digging for an unbeaten 34 in his 100th and final Test. The Sri Lankan second-wicket pair batted with better discipline than the side showed when losing the first Test by a record innings and 242 runs last week. After Dhananjaya de Silva won the toss and elected to bat first on a dry pitch, Australia threw the new ball to left-arm spinner Matthew Kuhnemann alongside Mitchell Starc. However, it was veteran off-spinner Nathan Lyon who struck the only blow before lunch, sneaking one past Pathum Nissanka's legs to bowl him for 11. Chandimal walked out with a steely resolve, taking charge of the innings with nimble footwork and rock-solid defence. The number three batsman used his feet brilliantly, dancing down the track to dispatch the spinners and take control of the session, striking two fours and a six. Karunaratne, playing his 100th and final Test, wasn't in full flow and looked scratchy at times but did hit three fours in his 34. Sri Lanka made three changes to the side that slumped to their heaviest Test defeat in the series opener, bringing in Nissanka, Lahiru Kumara, and Ramesh Mendis, while leaving out Jeffrey Vandersay, Asitha Fernando, and Oshada Fernando. Australia handed a debut to 21-year-old all-rounder Cooper Connolly, who can bat in the lower middle order and bowls left-arm spin. Off-spinner Todd Murphy was left out from the side that won the first Test. str/pjm/dh
Reuters
06-02-2025
- Sport
- Reuters
Connolly debuts as Australia press for series sweep in Sri Lanka
Feb 6 (Reuters) - Spin bowling all-rounder Cooper Connolly made his test debut for Australia in the second test against Sri Lanka on Thursday as the tourists press for a 2-0 series sweep in Galle. Sri Lanka captain Dhananjaya de Silva won the toss and elected to bat in what is his team mate Dimuth Karunaratne's 100th test after which the opener will retire. "We've got one change, Todd Murphy unfortunately misses out and Cooper Connolly makes his debut, so exciting day for him," Australia skipper Steve Smith, leading the side in the absence of regular skipper Pat Cummins, said at the toss. "I think there's going to be enough there early on with some swing and some spin. Hopefully we've got all the options covered." Connolly, who has played only four first class matches, received his baggy green cap from former Australia player Simon Katich. Australia, who have already secured their place in the final of the World Test Championship against South Africa, won the opening test, also in Galle, by an innings and 242 runs. Sri Lanka: Dimuth Karunaratne, Pathum Nissanka, Dinesh Chandimal, Angelo Mathews, Kamindu Mendis, Dhanajaya de Silva (captain), Kusal Mendis (wicketkeeper), Ramesh Mendis, Prabath Jayasuriya, Nishan Peiris, Lahiru Kumara Australia: Usman Khawaja, Travis Head, Marnus Labuschagne, Steve Smith (captain), Josh Inglis, Alex Carey (wicketkeeper), Beau Webster, Cooper Connolly, Mitchell Starc, Nathan Lyon, Matthew Kuhnemann
Gulf News
05-02-2025
- Sport
- Gulf News
Sri Lanka's Karunaratne to bow out of Tests after ‘fulfilling dream'
Galle: Dimuth Karunaratne said he had fulfilled a childhood dream after the Sri Lanka opener announced that his 100th Test, against Australia starting Thursday, will be his last. The 36-year-old former skipper was a rock at the top of the Sri Lankan order for more than a decade, but has gone 25 innings without a century. The second Test against Australia in Galle will be his farewell to the five-day game. 'As a kid my only dream was to play just one Test match,' Karunaratne, who has scored 7,172 runs in his 99 Tests, said on Wednesday. 'Reaching 100 Tests is something truly special. But as you may have heard, this will also be my last. 'You have to take stock of things and make a call at the right time. I'm at peace with my decision.' Renowned for his cool head and affable nature, Karunaratne also proved a shrewd leader. Taking over the captaincy at a turbulent time in 2019, he steadied the ship and led Sri Lanka to a historic series win in South Africa. To this day, Sri Lanka remain the only Asian team to conquer the Proteas in their own backyard. 'You always set goals in life and the beauty of the game is that you chase your dreams, though you may not achieve all of them,' Karunaratne said. Karunaratne relinquished the captaincy in 2023, saying it was time for younger cricketers to lead, and said Wednesday it was again time to 'pass the baton to the next generation'. 'There are so many talented young players waiting in the wings,' he added. Karunaratne said he planned to travel to Australia after the series to study coaching. 'Then I want to come back and contribute to Sri Lankan cricket as a coach,' he added. Sri Lanka trail the two-match series after losing the opener by an innings and 242 runs, their worst-ever Test defeat. Sign up for the Daily Briefing Get the latest news and updates straight to your inbox
