Sri Lanka Test and ODI captain Dimuth Karunaratne is confident of a strong comeback to the field as his side returned to business n June 1 with a 12-day residential camp at Colombo Cricket Club.
The intention by the islanders was clear – to get prepared to host Bangladesh for a scheduled three-match Test series, which is part of the World Test Championship, this month.
The squad primarily consisted of bowlers, whilst several players have been included in order to undergo rehabilitation.
When reached for a short interview, Dimuth replied to Dhaka Tribune over email and the answers were filled with confidence, which is understood to be driven from the fact that the situation in the island nation is far better than any other country in the sub-continent.
As of Saturday, Sri Lanka officially registered 1,880 Covid-19 cases, and 11 deaths, and stands at No 100 in the coronavirus reference website, worldometre.
“For me, any series is a good series. welcome Bangladesh [cricket team],” Dimuth replied when asked to share his thought regarding concerns looming over the future of the series.
However, the series is heading nowhere as of now as Bangladesh Cricket Board is yet to announce its decision.
The situation in Bangladesh is different, compared to Sri Lanka, with 84,379 cases and 11,309 deaths.
The increasing number of Covid-19 cases has kept cricket and all other sports in the country suspended since the middle of March this year.
Bangladesh national cricketers have all been at home since then and kept themselves busy only with some fitness drills.
Based on the facts, the senior national cricketers expressed their disinterest for the tour to go ahead which at least some part of the board agreed to.
Bangladesh are not the only team whose decision is based on the pandemic situation.
India Friday called off their tour of Sri Lanka and Zimbabwe, scheduled for June-July and August respectively, owing to the current threat of Covid-19.
In India, a total of 309,603 cases have been registered with 8,890 deaths till Saturday afternoon.
Sri Lanka are one among few teams to make a comeback to the field on the back of the coronavirus pandemic.
Media reports suggest Sri Lanka believes the chances are slim for international cricket to return to action in the sub-continent anytime soon and as a backup has planned to host Sri Lanka Premier League Twenty20 as preparation for the World T20 in Australia in October-November, in case their cricketers do not get international action before the world event.
“I am all for a SLPL,” said Dimuth, who further cited the challenge the cricketers have to face upon returning after such a long break.
“Sounds tough and yes, these kind of unplanned disruptions don’t help but if you’d flip the coin you’d have to say national cricketers are generally strong as much as rough riders. Therefore clear up the rust and we’d have to move on,” added the left-handed opening batsman.
“Starting with the new rules [set by the International Cricket Council based on coronavirus pandemic] will be a challenge. I am good with rationale controls based on hygienic necessities as lonas the bat versus ball challenge remains. Be that as it may, traveling and quarantining will be a huge mindset change. Sri Lanka are a tough team and I am sure we will face it head on,” said Dimuth, who believes 30% of the game will change compared to what it was before coronavirus.
Taking charge in 2019 as both the Test and ODI captain of Sri Lanka, Dimuth has led the side to four wins in eight Tests and 10 victories in 14 ODIs.
