Sri Lanka's Karunaratne cleared to play after bouncer hit

Sri Lanka's Dimuth Karunaratne has been released from hospital and cleared to play Sunday after being hit by a bouncer in the second Test against Australia in Canberra.

The experienced opener was 46 not out when a rising ball from Pat Cummins glanced off his shoulder and onto his helmet, close to the neck area on Saturday.

He lay prone on the ground for at least 10 minutes before being stretchered off in a neck brace.

Cricket Australia said on Sunday "Sri Lankan Cricket has cleared him to play".

"They have said there are no concussion issues," it added.

Sri Lanka Cricket said in a tweet early Sunday that Karunaratne had been released from the hospital "as investigations have shown that the 'results are normal'".

Karunaratne tweeted his thanks to Canberra Hospital and "to all who were there when I received a blow".

"Thank you from the bottom of my heart for looking after my well-being. Cheers. My cricketing battle starts all over again tomorrow (Sunday).

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