{ "id": "48367", "author": "1", "cnmid": "0", "title": "Karunaratne dreams of emulating class of 96", "lang": "en", "series": "308", "cup_year": "2019", "article_type": "General", "excerpt": "May 28 (CRICKETNMORE) - As an eight-year-old boy tuning into Sri Lanka\u2019s 1996 triumph on a pocket radio, Dimuth Karunaratne instantly learned the danger a cricket underdog can pose. Like most Sri La", "subtype": "", "editor1": "

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.<\/strong><\/p>\r\n\r\n

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.<\/p>\r\n\r\n

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.<\/p>\r\n\r\n

But this time around they enter the arena with a guard that has most certainly changed four years on from the last World Cup.<\/p>\r\n\r\n

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.<\/p>\r\n\r\n

Angelo Mathews and Lasith Malinga remain but, with neither yielding success as captain, the inevitable change fell as preparations crested. Enter Karunaratne.<\/p>\r\n\r\n

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.<\/p>\r\n\r\n

 <\/span><\/div>\r\n\r\n

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.<\/p>\r\n\r\n

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.<\/p>\r\n\r\n

Make no mistake, Karunaratne is a man feeling the expectation of a nation as skipper and opening bat.<\/p>\r\n\r\n

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.<\/p>\r\n\r\n

After all, it wouldn’t be an ICC Men’s Cricket World Cup without inconsistent preparation in the eyes of exclusive ICC columnist Jayawardene.<\/p>\r\n\r\n

“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.<\/p>\r\n\r\n

“But the team always manages to deal with it and do well regardless, so I am hopeful it will be the same this year.<\/p>\r\n\r\n

“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.”<\/p>\r\n\r\n

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.<\/p>\r\n\r\n

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.<\/p>\r\n\r\n

Now his own personal challenge is turning that into three figures.<\/p>\r\n\r\n

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.<\/p>\r\n\r\n

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.<\/p>\r\n\r\n

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.<\/p>\r\n\r\n

\r\n

ICC<\/p>\r\n", "image": "https:\/\/img.cricketnmore.com\/uploads\/2019\/05\/Dimuth-Karunaratne2.jpg", "alt_img": "Dimuth Karunaratne", "alt_title": "ICC Cricket World Cup 2019", "image1": "", "video": "", "seo_title": "Karunaratne dreams of emulating class of 96 On Cricketnmore", "seo_desc": "Like most Sri Lankans that ICC Men\u2019s 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.", "seo_keywords": "Dimuth Karunaratne, ICC Cricket World Cup 2019", "tag": "", "tagging": "Dimuth Karunaratne,ICC Cricket World Cup 2019,", "status": "1", "img_rpt": "0", "google": "1", "standout": "0", "edapps": "0", "pulse": "0", "no_index": "0", "feed": "0", "fixture": "0", "slug": "karunaratne-dreams-of-emulating-class-of-96", "user_id": "0", "read_count": "0", "ians_date": "0000-00-00", "ians_time": "00:00:00", "server_time": "0000-00-00 00:00:00", "trash": "0", "view_count": "2409", "page_break": "0", "instant_articles": "1", "auto_link": "1", "created": "2019-05-28 11:30:18", "updated": "2019-05-28 11:30:18", "img_from": "Image - ICC", "img_source": "", "schedule_publish": "0000-00-00 00:00:00", "news_keywords": "ICC Cricket World Cup 2019, Sri Lanka Cricket, Dimuth Karunaratne", "livescore_text": null, "livescore_link": null, "btn_text": null, "resend_feed": "0", "google_feed": "0", "read_more": "0", "posted_by": "1", "jio_date": "2019-05-28 11:30:18", "scheduled": "0", "news_now": "1", "breaking_news": "0", "google_date": "2019-05-28 11:30:18", "featured": "0", "pred_match_id": null, "article_content_type": null, "link": "https:\/\/www.cricketnmore.com\/cricket-news\/karunaratne-dreams-of-emulating-class-of-96-48367" }