Synopsis
Ahead of his 100th Test, Dimuth Karunaratne receives praise from Steve Smith, the stand-in captain of Australia. Smith acknowledges Karunaratne's consistency and career while looking forward to their match in Galle.Key Takeaways
- Dimuth Karunaratne plays his 100th Test.
- Steve Smith praises his career.
- Karunaratne is stepping away from Test cricket.
- Smith's leadership has impressed during the series.
- ICC Champions Trophy looms ahead.
New Delhi, Feb 5 (NationPress) As Sri Lanka’s Dimuth Karunaratne gears up for his 100th and concluding Test match, Australia’s stand-in captain Steve Smith took a moment to honor the seasoned opener ahead of the second Test in Galle.
Smith recognized Karunaratne’s extraordinary career, labeling him as one of the most reliable opening batsmen in contemporary cricket.
"Yeah, he's had a really good career up top there for Sri Lanka, playing his 100th game as well," ICC quoted Smith as stating. "There's a bit of a ceremony for him before the game, and he's been super consistent, if not probably the most consistent top-order opening batsman for a long period of time."
At 36 years old, Karunaratne is bidding farewell to Test cricket following a recent decline in form, leaving behind a legacy as one of Sri Lanka’s premier red-ball openers.
"He's had a wonderful career. But, yeah, hopefully, we can keep him quiet in his last game," Smith added with a smile, as Australia aims to secure the series with another strong performance.
While Karunaratne’s farewell match is a significant narrative, Smith’s leadership has also garnered attention. With regular skipper Pat Cummins sidelined due to injury and paternity leave, Smith has once again taken the helm of Australia—and has done so admirably.
Cummins, observing from the sidelines, commended Smith’s leadership, even referring to him as a "genius" for some tactical decisions made during this tour. Smith was visibly pleased with the accolade but remained focused on the mission ahead.
"That's nice of him," Smith remarked. "I love captaining in these conditions. I understand the game well and the angles that need to be created—just moving the chess pieces around the board. It's good fun, and yeah, I've enjoyed it so far. Hopefully, another good week ahead."
With the ICC Champions Trophy set to commence on February 19, Australia may require Smith to continue in the captaincy role, as Cummins’ ongoing injury has cast doubt on his availability for the tournament.
If Cummins is unable to recover in time, Smith, who has previously captained Australia in several ICC events, could step in once more.
