Dimuth Karunaratne failed four agonizing runs short of registering his first One-Day International (ODI) century during Sri Lanka’s ICC Cricket World Cup 2019 match against Australia at the Oval Cricket Ground on June 15 Saturday). The Sri Lanka skipper, who made a surprise return into the Sri Lanka ODI setup after a gap of four years, looked certain to reach his maiden century before being dismissed off a Kane Richardson delivery in the 33rd over but not before recording the fourth highest individual score by a Lankan captain at the World Cups.  Sri Lanka vs Australia Live Cricket Score of ICC World Cup 2019 Match.

The left-handed opening batsman was caught by Glenn Maxwell at point while trying to cut a Richardson first delivery for a boundary in the 33rd over. Karunaratne scored 97 runs from 108 deliveries which included nine boundaries before being removed. Australia vs Sri Lanka Live Cricket Score 20th ODI Match.

Karunaratne was appointed the Sri Lanka skipper for CWC19 under controversial circumstances in mid-April with the new Sri Lanka Cricket Board removing former captain Dinesh Chandimal. Karunaratne last represented Sri Lanka in February 2015 before being recalled for CWC 2019. The 31-year-old, however, registered the fourth highest score for a Sri Lanka skipper at the World Cups.

Sanath Jayasuriya’s 120 runs against New Zealand in the 2003 edition is the highest score for a Lanka skipper in the ICC tournament. Mahela Jayawardene (115* against New Zealand ) and Kumar Sangakkara (111 vs New Zealand) completes the top three before Karunaratne’s 96 against Australia.

Despite Karunaratne’s brilliance, Sri Lanka looks to be heading towards another defeat at CWC 2019. Earlier, sent into bat, Australia made much-work of Lanka’s poor bowling to put a mammoth 334 runs on board. Skipper Aaron Finch top-scored for the defending champions with 153 runs from deliveries, while Glenn Maxwell made a quick-fire half-century.

In reply, Sri Lanka are struggling at 222/7 at the end of 38 overs. The opening pair of Karunaratne and Kushal Perera engaged in a century-run partnership but a middle-order collapse has taken the Lankans closer towards another defeat.

Sri Lanka are placed fifth in the points table with just one victory in four matches. They have four points so far. Australia are placed third with six points after four matches.

(The above story first appeared on LatestLY on Jun 15, 2019 10:15 PM IST. For more news and updates on politics, world, sports, entertainment and lifestyle, log on to our website latestly.com).