Monday Dec 16, 2024
Monday Dec 16, 2024
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PALLEKELE, AFP: Skipper Dasun Shanaka on Thursday said Chamika Karunaratne remains a trusted performer for Sri Lanka after the fast bowler helped stun Australia by 26 runs in a rain-hit second one-day international.
Chasing a rain-revised target of 216 in 43 overs, Australia suffered from regular wicket falls to get bowled out for 189 in 37.1 overs as Sri Lanka bounced back from their opening loss in the five-match series in Pallekele.
Karunaratne returned figures of 3-47 including Steve Smith, for 28, and Glenn Maxwell, for 30, and was ably supported by fellow quick Dushmantha Chameera who got the final batsman to bring the raucous home crowd to its feet.
Spinners Dhananjaya de Silva, Dunith Wellalage and Chameera took two wickets each.
“We were a few runs short. But when we went onto the field, I had a feeling and the trust that our bowlers would defend,” said Shanaka.
On man of the match Karunaratne, he said: “Chamika is a born warrior. He delivers whenever I throw the ball to him.” De Silva also scored 34 with the bat and put on 61 runs for the third wicket with Kusal Mendis, who made 36, to guide Sri Lanka to 220 for nine when rain forced play to stop and late end the innings.
