By Tara Murray
The current Victorian Turf Cricket Association senior division season isn’t even finished and Keilor has already locked in one of the biggest signings, if not the biggest for next season.
The Blues announced on Tuesday night that it had signed recently retired Sri Lankan captain Dimuth Karunaratne for the next three years.
The club on social media that it prides itself as being one of the leading community based cricket clubs in Melbourne’s north-west and this further helps that.
Karunaratne played 100 tests for Sri Lanka, amassing 7222 runs at 39.25 with 16 test centuries.
Throughout his 100 tests, Dimuth was selected in the ICC test team of the year on three occasions.
In 50 one-day internationals he has scored 1316 runs at 31.33 with one century and 11 half centuries.
Blues coach Duncan Harrison said what started out as a bit of hope had become a massive signing for the club.
“It has been a good few weeks in the background,” he said. “It was nice in the last 24 hours to announce it.
“It had been a work in progress for three to four weeks. It started from a bit of a long shot, to what it is now.”
Karunaratne is no stranger to playing local cricket in Melbourne. He previously played for Endeavour Hills, while also playing some games with Caroline Springs in the 2023-24 season.
Harrison said the signing of Karunaratne would be amazing for the group. He was likely to arrive in Australia in the next few weeks.
“We have quite a young group that we’ve been building over the last few years,” he said. “We’ve been building some local talent and to bring in someone with his experience and ability is enormous for the club all the way through the grades.
“It’s good for everyone.”
Harrison said signing Karunaratne for three seasons locks in some certainty for the group and help them progress.
They said he would take on some coaching at the club as well.
“Hopefully he will impart his knowledge across the playing group and push us up the ladder finally,” Harrison said.
The Blues finished this season in eighth, two games outside the top four.
Harrison said the top two teams were playing off in the grand final and the top four was reflected with the best four teams.
“It’s really tight,” he said. “You can lose here and there and you don’t make finals.
“You’ve got to turn up every week and do your best.”
