Sri Lanka all-rounder Chamika Karunaratne endured a freak fielding injury during a Lanka Premier League match between Kandy Falcons and Galle Gladiators on Wednesday. Going for a rather tricky catch, Karunaratne suffered a nasty blow to his face, which resulted in him losing four teeth, according to Sri Lanka’s national daily Daily Mirror.
The incident took place during the fourth over of the first innings when Nuwanido Fernando smashed a fuller delivery outside off over covers. However, he failed to find the distance, and Karunaratne, who had to track back from the cover region, ended up being hit on the face by the ball as it came down on him.
In the replays, a tooth can be seen falling off Karunaratne’s mouth after the impact. The Sri Lankan all-rounder started bleeding immediately and had to be rushed to the hospital.
Watch the video here:
Chamika Karunaratne lost 3-4 teeth while taking this catch. pic.twitter.com/cvB44921yZ
— Johns. (@CricCrazyJohns) December 8, 2022
The game of cricket has seen many more massive injuries than this. Australian Cricketer, Phillip Hughes lost his life as a ball hit the back of his neck. Mark Boucher was hit on one of his eyes and lost vision in that eye, forever, which also led to his cricket career coming to a premature end.
Kandy Falcons won their second match of the tournament
Talking about the match, the Gladiators posted 121/8 on board in 20 overs after winning the toss and the Falcons chased the target in just 15 overs with the loss of five wickets. Kamindu Mendis (44) scored the most runs for the Falcons. He hit four boundaries and two sixes after openers Pathum Nissanka and Andre Fletcher gave a decent start to the Falcons during the chase.
Pathum Nissanka scored 22 runs off 21 balls with the help of three boundaries and a six. On the other hand, Fletcher scored 20 runs off just 14 balls, including three fours and a six.
