The Sri Lankan opener, Dimuth Karunaratne has been cleared to bat again after facing a massive blow on the back of his head from a Pat Cummins’ bouncer which saw him stretchered off the field on the second day in Canberra and taken to the hospital immediately. Following assessments, he was released on Saturday evening and then came through a concussion test before play resumed on Sunday.
Update on Sunday morning read: “Dimuth will be at the ground and SLC has cleared him to bat. They have said there are no concussion issues.” Karunaratne also thanked Cricket Australia for the support, he tweeted, “To all at @CricketAus #Canberrahospital ,to Dr.Asanka and to all who were there when I received a blow !!! Thank you from the bottom of my heart for looking after my well-being. Cheers. My Cricketing battle starts all over again tomorrow.”
To all at @CricketAus #Canberrahospital ,to Dr.Asanka and to all who were there when I received a blow !!!
Thank you from the bottom of my heart for looking after my well-being
Cheers
My Cricketing battle starts all over again tomorrow.. #AUSvSL— Dimuth Karunarathna (@IamDimuth) February 2, 2019
The incident took place when the batsman attempted to duck the bouncer in the fourth delivery of the 31st over as he turned and tucked in his head. But the ball did not rise as high as he had expected, and struck him seemingly on the top of the shoulder, before hitting the area where his neck meets his skull.
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Dimuth was wearing a helmet with the rear attachments designed to shield a batsman’s neck, and though it was the equipment that the ball seemed to strike, he immediately fell on the ground, losing grip of his bat. Despite the fact that Dimuth faced immense discomfort, he was conscious when he was being treated and was seen talking to the medical professionals assisting him. He also moved his hands and fingers.
Here is the video of the injury:
https://twitter.com/videos_shots/status/1091600175728979968
The medical staff put a brace around his neck, transferred him gently on to a stretcher, then drove him off the field, with members of the Australia team showing concern, as well as Dimuth’s own team-mates. Australia captain Tim Paine and Cummins himself watched proceedings closely.
Dimuth is the fifth Sri Lanka player to suffer an injury on this brief tour, with four fast pacers already having broken down. He had been batting well, on 46, when he was struck. His opening stand with Lahiru Thirimanne, worth 82, was Sri Lanka’s second-best first-wicket stand in Australia.
