Karunaratne eases into ODI scheme of things with half-century on return
Karunaratne, who last played an ODI in the previous edition of the World Cup, in 2015, returned to the ODI fold for the Scotland series. After the first game was abandoned without a ball bowled, he starred in Sri Lanka's victory in the second, on Tuesday, 21 May, hitting a patient half-century and sharing a 123-run opening stand with youngster Avishka Fernando, which laid the foundation for the visitors' mammoth total of 322/8.
The game presented a chance for Karunaratne to not only hit some form but also hone his leadership skills ahead of the World Cup. He benefitted from a couple of reprieves while batting: first on 13, and then on 36, before eventually being caught at long-on for a solid 77.
Sri Lanka win the series 1-0!
Batsmen, Nuwan Pradeep help their side beat Scotland in the second ODI by 35 runs on DLS method. #SCOvSL SCORECARD 👇https://t.co/M94zoHAypI pic.twitter.com/9nBWvaIVLc
— ICC (@ICC) May 21, 2019
"Playing an international one-dayer after such a long time is not easy. I was under pressure early on and was struggling a little bit," he said. "But once I got set and thought about how to play, which bowlers I should target, I felt better. Fortunately, I got a couple of chances. But thanks to the runs I got, I got some confidence."
Karunaratne was also all praise for his 21-year-old opening partner Avishka Fernando, who struck his maiden half-century in his sixth ODI. "Avishka was excellent as well. We know how capable he is. He can hit hard and rotate the strike as well," Karunaratne said. "We talked to him about what we needed from him. Unfortunately, he couldn't get a hundred, but I think he can get a big hundred in the World Cup."
After Sri Lanka racked up 322, Nuwan Pradeep, their new-ball bowler, led their efforts to defend the score, taking four wickets in seven overs. Pradeep scuppered a strong start to Scotland's reply by plucking out Kyle Coetzer, the captain, to end a 51-run opening stand. Pradeep got the breakthrough courtesy a sharp bouncer, and Karunaratne explained that it had been the plan.
I was under pressure early on and was struggling a little bit. But once I got set and thought about how to play - which bowlers I should target - I felt better.Dimuth Karunaratne
"When Scotland were going quite well, I spoke to Nuwan Pradeep and asked him to try a couple of bouncers," he said. "He did that really well and we were able to squeeze them through that middle period.
"It's not easy to bowl yorkers, especially with the ball getting wet because of the rain. If you don't execute it well, it will go for a six. But Pradeep knows how he has to bowl, and he went for the straight yorker. I hope he takes that confidence into the World Cup."