Sri Lanka’s Test and ODI skipper Dimuth Karunaratne has spoken of the need to try and improve his team’s ranking in international cricket indicating that the team needed to be among the top four teams in the world. While Sri Lanka have done reasonably well in Test match cricket having been ranked fifth, their ODI ranking is not too pretty – eighth.
In an interview conducted by Sri Lanka Cricket’s Media Unit, the skipper was asked what was his priority as a leader and he stressed on improving the team’s rankings.
“Rankings is the key word. I would say that Sri Lanka needs to be in the top four of not just ODI cricket, but Test cricket as well. That would indirectly mean semi-finalists to say the least and you are perhaps two games away from the plum. There onwards, it’s anyone’s game and if you do well you will go onto win the title.”
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The 32-year-old praised the work ethic Mickey Arthur has brought into the dressing room. “Mickey is no nonsense, cool bloke with loads of experience to back him and his brand. At the international level planning and role clarity is a norm. What is very important is the belief he has instilled among us in his own and subtle way. It sure has helped and the results always speak for itself.”
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“The boys and the respective squads are enjoying their cricket and that makes my job that much easier. If you like what you are doing and the environment to do so is conducive, the balance at this level of sport becomes that much more beneficial. I think it’s pretty similar to life or managing a company.”
Karunaratne has been Sri Lanka’s most successful opening batsman since the great Marvan Atapattu. He said that he regretted not converting some of the starts he had got. “I have nine centuries from 66 Test matches. . While many will argue that I should or could have converted some of the 24 half-centuries I scored into centuries. However, I am learning from each game. Test cricket is supreme and it’s certainly not a walk in the park! The stretched goal is 25 Centuries and a 50 plus average.”
