In a dramatic moment on Day 3 of the third Test at The Oval, England pacer Chris Woakes pulled off a sharp diving catch to dismiss Sri Lankan captain Dimuth Karunaratne, breaking the visitors’ opening stand in their second innings. The dismissal marked a significant moment in the match, especially as it could well have been the 35-year-old Karunaratne’s last Test innings on English soil.
The crucial wicket came during the seventh over of Sri Lanka’s second innings. Facing Chris Woakes, Karunaratne attempted to steer a delivery through the off-side but could only manage an inside edge onto his pad. The ball popped up into the air, and Woakes, displaying excellent reflexes, quickly dived forward to pouch the catch cleanly. Although the catch was pivotal, Chris Woakes’ celebration was noticeably subdued, perhaps out of respect for the experienced Sri Lankan opener, whose contributions to Test cricket have been widely acknowledged.
Karunaratne, who is regarded as one of Sri Lanka’s finest opening batters, had a disappointing outing in this match. He was dismissed for a single-figure score in both innings, having been run out for just 8 runs in the first innings after a direct hit from England’s Olly Stone. His struggles with the bat in this Test have added weight to speculation that this might be his final tour of England, given his advancing age and the likely rebuilding phase Sri Lankan cricket is set to enter.
Sri Lanka began Day 3 on 211/5, still trailing England by 114 runs in their first innings. Kamindu Mendis and Dhananjaya de Silva, who had provided some resistance on Day 2, resumed their partnership. However, England’s disciplined bowling attack quickly wrapped up the Sri Lankan innings, dismissing the visitors for 263 and handing the hosts a 62-run first-innings lead.
Chris Woakes Grabs Incredible Diving Catch to Remove Karunaratne in 3rd Test
Chris Woakes’ contribution with both bat and ball has been vital throughout this Test series, showcasing his all-round capabilities. Chris Woakes’ catch to remove Karunaratne not only gave England the early breakthrough they needed but also demonstrated his ability to impact the game on the field.
This moment encapsulated the growing pressure on Sri Lanka as they attempted to claw their way back into the game. Losing a key player like Karunaratne early in their second innings left Sri Lanka in a precarious position as they sought to overcome the deficit and set England a challenging target. Unfortunately for the visitors, their captain’s early departure only compounded their struggles.
As for Karunaratne, should this indeed prove to be his last appearance in a Test match in England, it was a subdued farewell. He has had several memorable performances in English conditions over the years, but this match was a reminder of the harsh realities of international cricket, where even the most seasoned players can find themselves on the wrong end of fortune.
As the match progressed, the focus shifted to how Sri Lanka’s remaining batters would handle the pressure. England, armed with a first-innings lead and the momentum of early wickets looked to push for a commanding victory. For Chris Woakes, his exceptional catch added another highlight to his growing reputation as one of England’s most reliable and versatile players.
In the broader context of the game, this catch was a crucial moment in England’s quest to maintain control of the Test match and, potentially, the series. For Sri Lanka, it marked a critical juncture in their fight to stay alive in the contest, and it underscored the challenges they have faced throughout the series.
Ultimately, this dismissal will be remembered as a key moment in the Test, not only for its technical brilliance but also for its significance in the possible farewell of a great Sri Lankan cricketer on English soil.
