Sri Lankan bowler's other sporting passion

Sri Lanka's fast bowling debutant Chamika Karunaratne has revealed he was his country's second-ranked badminton player only three years ago.

Chamika Karunaratne

New Sri Lankan quick Chamika Karunaratne is also adept as a badminton player. (AAP)

Sri Lanka's newest Test cricketer could have been playing for his country in another sport.

Chamika Karunaratne wasn't in Sri Lanka's squad for their tour of Australia on Monday.

But as Sri Lanka's bowling stocks continued to be decimated by injury, Karunaratne was rushed to Canberra as cover.

With star quick Suranga Lakmal suffering a back injury a day before the second Test, Karunaratne became Sri Lanka's 148th Test cricketer.

The 22-year-old took a wicket with his fourth ball in Test cricket, but it was difficult day after that as he finished with figures of 1-87 from 14 overs.

Karunaratne revealed after the day's play that sporting pedigree runs through his family, with badminton at the top of the list.

"I was national number two (in badminton) three years ago. My elder brother was number one," he told reporters.

"My father and two brothers have played for the country as well."

Before arriving in Australia, Karunaratne played 29 first-class matches for a bowling average of 34.16.

But he could prove to be a wildcard when Sri Lanka bats as he boasts a first-class century.

Listed to bat at No.9, he has the potential to make some lower order runs given his first-class batting is 25.

But first Australia will look to pile on the runs on day two when they resume at 4-384.


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Source: AAP



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