Sri Lanka Test skipper Dimuth Karunaratne has left for England this morning (19th April) in order to play for Yorkshire in County Championship in England.
Karunaratne was due to fly to England before the Sinhala & Tamil New Year but a delay in visa clearance pushed back his departure.
However, Karunaratne had received his passport with a visa last night so he could leave the island early this morning. He will play 3 four day matches for Yorkshire this season. Karunaratne will return home from England to play the Test series against Bangladesh in May.
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Speaking to Daily FT, Karunaratne said he is keen to play country cricket and that the offer to play for Yorkshire came from former England fast bowler Darren Gough.
“Moneywise it is nothing big, but my passion to play county cricket is why I am going. I can improve my cricket by another 10-15 percent. If I can learn from playing county cricket, I can share that experience with my team members. Darren Gough (Coordinator of Yorkshire Cricket) is the one who asked me whether I was keen to play for Yorkshire for the first half of the season. I will be able to extend my contract next year as well. Yorkshire has indicated that they are prepared to go a long journey with me.” Karunaratne said.
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