Dimuth Karunaratne, the experienced Sri Lankan opener, achieved a significant milestone during the second Test against England. With a composed knock of 55 runs, Karunaratne surpassed the legendary Sanath Jayasuriya to become the fourth highest run-scorer for Sri Lanka in Test cricket.
Starting the day at 53/2, Karunaratne was at the crease with nightwatchman Prabath Jayasuriya. Despite losing his partner early in the session, Karunaratne held firm, playing a crucial innings that solidified his place in the record books. He now trails only Kumar Sangakkara, Mahela Jayawardene, and Angelo Mathews on Sri Lanka’s all-time Test run-scoring list.
Karunaratne’s achievement reflects his consistency and resilience over the years, contributing significantly to Sri Lankan cricket. With 6,979 runs in 93 Tests at an average of 41.05, including 16 centuries and 37 fifties, Karunaratne continues to be a cornerstone of Sri Lanka’s batting lineup.
Top 5 Run Getters know Test Getters for Sri Lanka
| Rank | Player | Span | Matches (Mat) | Runs | Average (Ave) | 100s | 50s |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | KC Sangakkara | 2000-2015 | 134 | 12,400 | 57.40 | 38 | 52 |
| 2 | DPMD Jayawardene | 1997-2014 | 149 | 11,814 | 49.84 | 34 | 50 |
| 3 | AD Mathews | 2009-2024 | 111 | 7,731 | 45.21 | 16 | 42 |
| 4 | FDM Karunaratne | 2012-2024 | 93 | 6,990 | 40.87 | 16 | 38 |
| 5 | ST Jayasuriya | 1991-2007 | 110 | 6,973 | 40.07 | 14 | 31 |
Michael Vaughan Urges Karunaratne to Adopt a More Aggressive Approach
Former England captain Michael Vaughan, while commenting on Karunaratne’s performance, suggested that the Sri Lankan captain needs to be more proactive, even when on the defensive. Vaughan believes that adopting a more aggressive mindset could help Karunaratne counter the pressure better, especially in challenging conditions.
“Dimuth Karunaratne is just hanging in for survival. He needs to start being more positive, even in defence, because at the moment he’s just hanging back. As a batter you’ve got to find a way of counter-punching when you are under such pressure. Karunaratne has missed a few pull shots, I’m not sure you can trust the bounce completely on this pitch,” Vaughan said, as quoted by BBC Test Match Special.
Karunaratne’s ability to adapt his game will be crucial as Sri Lanka aims to build on their performance in this series. With the series still in balance, his experience and leadership will be key to Sri Lanka’s chances of success against a formidable England side.
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