Arthur heaps praise on ‘hard-working’ Chamika
Chamika Karunaratne - the newfound energizer on the field
Coach Mickey Arthur heaped praise on young all-rounder Chamika Karunaratne for his work ethics following his impressive performances against India in the ODI series.
The former Royal College allrounder, who hails from a family of sportspersons, the youngest of Karunaratnes earned the reputation for his on-field electric and energetic antics, during the three-match ODI series against India, which the visitors won 2-1.
“I made a special note in the dressing room last night in our wrap up. He came into our side very much on the outskirt,” coach Arthur praised the 25-year-old, who had been indicating a strong comeback while the team was in England.
“Every time I look out my window in Old Trafford, he was running around the ground and doing work on his own. There was Grant Flower with him, they were doing extra work outside our practice sessions. He was working with Chaminda Vaas on his action. The amount of work he has done to get an opportunity and then take his opportunity, has been a motivation to most of other guys in the squad,” Arthur added.
Karunaratne who had appeared in seven ODIs claimed two wickets and made 51 runs in the three games he played against England, not so impressive performance but the youngster proved his worth in home condition rising to the occasion.
The 25-year-old right-hander scored 90 runs including two unbeaten knocks of 43 and 44 in the first two games helping Sri Lanka cross the 250 run mark on both occasions. He also bowled tightly giving away only 67 runs in the 14 overs he bowled across the three games. He picked up one wicket in the third ODI.
But what attracted most was his attitude on the field, which was of similar to allrounder Kumar Dharmasena from the 1996 World Cup winning team, and who happen to be one of the on field umpires of the series.
“I made that point to the guys, because the work he has put in is astronomical, and he has become now a very integral part of our team, which is testimony to the work he has put in. Plus his commitment to the course and the determination to get better,” said Arthur.
His phenomenal commitment as a fielder has been the icing on the cake for Karunaratne, who would become an easy pick for future white-ball series.
“I see him in the role, I see him as our second, third or fourth seamer depending on the combinations we play. But also a finisher with the bat, he has done that exceptionally well. The other thing he does brilliantly is he is an outstanding fielder. So he’s a three-in-one cricketer, I only see him going from strength to strength”.