Karunaratne dreams of emulating class of 96

May 28 (CRICKETNMORE) - As an eight-year-old boy tuning into Sri Lanka’s 1996 triumph on a pocket radio, Dimuth Karunaratne instantly learned the danger a cricket underdog can pose.

Like most Sri Lankans that ICC Men’s Cricket World Cup moment fuelled a lifelong dream for Karunaratne, a desire to relive the glory days and inspire a nation to recreate unforgettable moments.

Twice runners-up, the Lions have yet to roar as loud as they did 23 years ago but their bid to set the world alight remains unchanged, the 2019 edition no exception.

But this time around they enter the arena with a guard that has most certainly changed four years on from the last World Cup.

Elder statesmen and Sri Lanka legends Kumar Sangakkara and Mahela Jayawardene have since hung up the gloves, their retirements sorely felt with the bat and in the leadership department.

Angelo Mathews and Lasith Malinga remain but, with neither yielding success as captain, the inevitable change fell as preparations crested. Enter Karunaratne.

A surprise choice to some he may have been but with a smile on his face throughout his nation’s two warm-up games, the 31-year-old is determined to make the best of the job.

Indeed, had the call not come his way Karunaratne would likely have featured at the Hampshire Bowl for different reasons to their second warm-up against Australia, having signed for the county in the English domestic season.

But with a fresh chance four years on – one ODI against Scotland aside – from his last 50-over appearance for Sri Lanka, the opener is not keen to relinquish his new-found opportunity any time soon.

Make no mistake, Karunaratne is a man feeling the expectation of a nation as skipper and opening bat.

Yet with a blend of patience and flexibility spearheading his approach to leadership, the pieces may just be in place for the world’s No.9 ranked side to upset those higher up the ladder.

After all, it wouldn’t be an ICC Men’s Cricket World Cup without inconsistent preparation in the eyes of exclusive ICC columnist Jayawardene.

“Fortunately, this is nothing new for Sri Lankan cricket and it is a given that things are never settled for a big tournament. That’s just the way it is,” he said.

“But the team always manages to deal with it and do well regardless, so I am hopeful it will be the same this year.

“If England or Australia had suffered this level of disruption I am not sure how they would react, but for Sri Lanka it’s quite normal.”

Normal it may be but the onus is on Karunaratne to thrive despite the upheaval, with opening games against New Zealand, Afghanistan, Pakistan and Bangladesh a starting point upon which to build.

Warm-up defeats to South Africa and Australia were far from ideal preparations but both games brought positives, the skipper among those to score with 87 in the first game.

Now his own personal challenge is turning that into three figures.

With 18 ODIs and two fifties to his name, averaging 20.53 with the bat, leading from the front is simply a must in a batting unit that, while talented, lacks togetherness as a unit.

But with a Test series win in South Africa in his locker – the first Asian captain to achieve the feat – Karunaratne is not a complete rookie when leading a team to success.

Follow in those footsteps and maybe another eight-year-old child with a pocket radio will find inspiration from an unlikely cause in this World Cup.

ICC