Redemption for skipper Karunaratne

Rex Clementine in Galle

In April this year, skipper Dimuth Karunaratne guided Sri Lanka to a series win over Bangladesh. His form was Bradmansque. In three innings he produced scores of 244, 118 and 66. He was richly rewarded by the selectors. How? By being sacked as the ODI captain. Since his terrific knocks against Bangladesh, he hasn’t played any international cricket for seven months. He was rusty starting off yesterday but soon got into the grove to finish with an unbeaten 132 as Sri Lanka compiled 267 for three at stumps on day one in the first Test against West Indies.

Dimuth’s marathon lasted for more than six hours. He was dropped on 14 by Jermaine Blackwood at slip and West Indies were made to pay a heavy price with the left-hander posting his 13th Test hundred. It was his fourth Test century this year. In 2021, Dimuth has compiled over 750 runs in just ten innings. Only two other batsmen have scored more runs than him this year. Joe Root and Rohit Sharma, but the England captain has done it in 23 innings while India’s Test captain in waiting has required 21 innings.

Dimuth added 139 runs for the first wicket with Pathum Nissanka. The youngster was opening for the first time in Test match cricket but looked comfortable in his new role and should have gone onto get a big one. But he chased a full and wide Shannon Gabriel delivery and nicked one to first slip and found Rahkeem Cornwall. The West Indian giant resembles local politician Nishantha Muthuhettigama. Wonder how Cornwall is fairing in the two kilometer run and skin fold tests.

West Indies saw an opening. Oshada Fernando was not comfortable against spin and was dropped on three but the reprieve didn’t cost Windies like that of Dimuth as he fell on the same score to a terrific catch at short by leg by Nkrumah Bonner.

Angelo Mathews came in next and the pressure was created by Jason Holder, who bowled five successive maidens. The former captain too didn’t look comfortable against spin and close in fielders were keeping the pressure on. Mathews then tried to hit a boundary but the execution was flawed as he found the lone fielder in the leg-side boundary.

Dhananjaya de Silva joined Karunaratne and ensured Sri Lanka didn’t spoil the good work done earlier on adding 97 runs for the fourth wicket with Karunaratne.

Dhananjaya was unbeaten on 56 off 77 deliveries with five fours. Dimuth was on 132 off 265 balls with 13 fours.