Sri Lanka's captain and best batter has a poor record against Mitchell Starc and Australia but his talent and recent form mean Australia won't be taking him lightly
Karunaratne out to show Aussies he's no Starc bunny
Meet Dimuth Karunaratne, the man Mitchell Starc made his bunny six years ago who now looms as the Sri Lankan most likely to take down Australia.
At his best Karunaratne is one of the finest batters in world cricket, able to ebb and flow with the tempo of a game.
His current status as No.6 in the ICC Test rankings is proof of that, with the left-hander having averaged 60.8 in the past 18 months.
But he is also the Sri Lankan with the most to prove in the next fortnight.
He averaged a miserable 6.83 in 2016, as Starc removed him five times in six innings before backing it up with two more dismissals in Canberra in 2019.
Six years ago, Starc beat him with pace early in the series before having him play at balls he shouldn't have for scores of 5, 0, 0, 7, 7 and 22.
Realistically Sri Lanka now need the opener and captain to stand up if they are to reclaim the Warne-Muralidaran Trophy.
In general, the Sri Lankan team he leads find themselves at an interesting juncture.
Gone are the household names from eras past, when the likes of Muthiah Muralidaran, Sanath Jayasuriya, Aravinda de Silva, Chaminda Vaas, Kumar Sangakkara and Mahela Jayawardene were the best in their class.
Even the two stars of their 3-0 rout of Australia in 2016 have both moved on, with spinners Rangana Herath and Dilruwan Perera having since retired.
To many Australian fans, there is an element of the unknown around Sri Lanka's Test team, but it is not without stars.
While Karunaratne is the key up top, veteran Angelo Mathews enters in form off the back of scores of 199 and 145no in Bangladesh last month.
Dinesh Chandimal was just as potent on that tour, and remains a threat on the subcontinent despite struggling on the bouncier wickets of Australia three years ago.
Dhananjaya de Silva also has reason to enter believing he can be a force, starring as a rookie in 2016 with the bat while also being able offer turn with the ball.
What Sri Lanka need is support around that quartet.
Lasith Embuldeniya is now the country's chief red-ball spinner but had his own issues on what should have been friendly wickets for him in Bangladesh.
Praveen Jayawickrama and Ramesh Mendis will be his likely back-ups.
Asitha Fernando and Kasun Rajitha lead the pace attack, with just 16 Tests between them.
At least one of those bowlers must channel Herath and star if Sri Lanka are to repeat their 2016 heroics.
Qantas Tour of Sri Lanka
Sri Lanka Test squad: Dimuth Karunaratne (c), Pathum Nissanka, Oshada Fernando, Angelo Mathews, Kusal Mendis, Dhananjaya de Silva, Kamindu Mendis, Niroshan Dickwella, Dinesh Chandimal, Ramesh Mendis, Chamika Karunaratne, Kasun Rajitha, Vishwa Fernando, Asitha Fernando, Dilshan Madushanka, Praveen Jayawickrama, Lasith Embuldeniya, Jeffrey Vandersay. Standby players: Dunith Wellalage, Lakshitha Rasanjana.
Australia Test squad: Pat Cummins (c), Ashton Agar, Scott Boland, Alex Carey, Cameron Green, Josh Hazlewood, Travis Head, Josh Inglis, Usman Khawaja, Marnus Labuschagne, Nathan Lyon, Mitchell Marsh, Glenn Maxwell, Steve Smith, Mitchell Starc, Mitchell Swepson, David Warner. Standby players: Jon Holland, Matthew Kuhnemann, Todd Murphy
June 29 - July 3: First Test, Galle, 2.30pm AEST
July 8-12: Second Test, Galle, 2.30pm AEST
Sri Lanka v Australia Test matches will be screened live on Fox Cricket and Kayo Sports