Veteran Sri Lankan opener Dimuth Karunaratne has surpassed the legendary Sanath Jayasuriya in the list of most runs for the national cricket team in Test cricket. Dimuth Karunaratne has become the fourth highest run-scorer for the Sri Lanka national cricket team in the longest format of the game.
The Dhananjaya de Silva-led side started the fourth day of play on 53-2 with Karunaratne and nightwatchman 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 in 41 balls.
Dimuth Karunaratne surpasses Sanath Jayasuriya in the elite list
Dimuth Karunaratne now sits fourth on the all-time list of leading run-scorers among Sri Lankan batsmen in Test cricket.
The left-handed batsman is ranked behind Kumar Sangakkara, Mahela Jayawardene and Angelo Mathews. Karunaratne got the better of 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 second with 11,814 runs in 149 Tests at an average close to 50.
Sri Lanka have most runs 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 in the ongoing series
Dimuth began the morning session cautiously before settling into the crease. The left-handed batsman 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 in favourable conditions and a good pitch to bat on.
Michael Vaughan said Karunaratne needs to take a more proactive approach, including in defence. Vaughan suggested Karunaratne should be more aggressive and find ways to counterattack under pressure.
“Dimuth Karunaratne is struggling to survive. He needs to start being more positive, even in defence, because he is lagging behind at the moment.
“As a batsman, you have to find a way to counterattack when you’re under so much pressure. Karunaratne has missed a few shots with spin, I’m not sure you can fully rely on the bounce of the ball on this pitch,” Vaughan was quoted as saying by BBC Test Match Special.
Earlier on the third day, the Ollie Pope-led side was bowled out for 251 runs in their second innings. Joe Root made 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 got two each.
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