Dimuth Karunaratne surpasses Sanath Jayasuriya, secures spot as Sri Lanka’s fourth-highest Test run-getter
Published - 01 Sep 2024, 05:14 PM | Updated - 02 Sep 2024, 11:11 AM
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Veteran Sri Lanka opener Dimuth Karunaratne has overtaken legendary Sanath Jayasuriya in the list of most runs for the national cricket team in Test cricket. Dimuth Karunaratne has become the fourth leading run-getter for the Sri Lanka national cricket team in the longer format of the game.
The Dhananjaya de Silva-led side started the fourth day's play at 53-2 with Karunaratne and night watchman Prabath Jayasuriya at the crease.
Right-arm pacer Chris Woakes provided an early breakthrough for England in the first session by dismissing Jayasuriya for just four runs off 41 balls.
Dimuth Karunaratne Surpasses Sanath Jayasuriya In Elite List
Dimuth Karunaratne is now fourth in the all-time leading run-scorer list among Sri Lankan batters in Test cricket.
The left-handed batter is behind Kumar Sangakkara, Mahela Jayawardene, and Angelo Mathews. Karunaratne surpassed Sanath Jayasuriya during the second innings of a recent match.
Angelo Mathews and Karunaratne are the only active cricketers in the top five. Kumar Sangakkara leads the list with 12,400 runs in 134 Tests at an average of 57.40, including 38 centuries and 52 fifties. Mahela Jayawardene is in second place with 11,814 runs in 149 Tests at an average close to 50.
Most Runs For Sri Lanka In Tests:
| Player | Span | Mat | Runs | Ave | 100 | 50 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Kumar Sangakkara | 2000-2015 | 134 | 12400 | 57.40 | 38 | 52 |
| Mahela Jayawardene | 1997-2014 | 149 | 11814 | 49.84 | 34 | 50 |
| Angelo Mathews | 2009-2024 | 111 | 7700 | 45.29 | 16 | 42 |
| Dimuth Karunaratne | 2012-2024 | 93 | 6979 | 41.05 | 16 | 37 |
| Sanath Jayasuriya | 1991-2007 | 110 | 6973 | 40.07 | 14 | 31 |
| Aravinda de Silva | 1984-2002 | 93 | 6361 | 42.97 | 20 | 22 |
| Dinesh Chandimal | 2011-2024 | 81 | 5598 | 43.06 | 15 | 27 |
Dimuth Karunaratne Scores His First Half-Century Of Ongoing Series
Dimuth began the morning session with a cautious approach before settling at the crease. The left-handed batter reached his first half-century of the series.
It was also his second half-century at Lord’s. He will be looking to add more runs with favorable conditions and a good pitch for batting.
Michael Vaughan said that Karunaratne needs to adopt a more proactive approach, even while defending. Vaughan suggested that Karunaratne should be more aggressive and find ways to counter-attack under pressure.
"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.
Earlier on Day 3, the Ollie Pope-led team was bowled out for 251 runs in their second innings. Joe Root smashed his second century of the match. For Sri Lanka, Asitha Fernando and Lahiru Kumara picked up three wickets each, while Milan Rathnayake and Prabath Jayasuriya secured two each.
Also read: Bharat Arun calls Duleep Trophy 2024 ideal platform to assess bowlers without Bumrah, Shami, Siraj
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Dimuth Karunaratne Sanath Jayasuriya England National Cricket Team England vs Sri Lanka 2024
