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Rangana Herath, one of Sri Lanka‘s most effective spinners, is notable for being the only left-arm spinner to have surpassed 400 wickets in Test cricket. In an era where batters often overshadow bowlers, Herath’s orthodox yet highly effective bowling style has earned him a revered place in cricket history. Despite lacking the mystery often associated with spin bowlers, Herath’s classical technique and consistency have made him a standout performer in international cricket.
Rangana Herath’s legacy post- Muttiah Muralitharan
After Muttiah Muralitharan‘s retirement, Sri Lanka faced the challenge of maintaining their spin prowess. Rangana Herath emerged as a key figure in this transitional phase, leading Sri Lanka’s spin attack with remarkable success. Over his career, Herath accumulated 433 Test wickets at an average of 28.07, proving to be a formidable spinner and the backbone of Sri Lankan spin bowling. His tenure marked a seamless continuation of Sri Lanka’s spin tradition, showcasing his ability to perform under pressure and sustain the team’s competitive edge.
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Current spin stars according to Herath
In a recent interview with Cricblog, Herath highlighted several contemporary spinners who have caught his attention. He praised Ravichandran Ashwin and Nathan Lyon for their skillful finger-spin bowling, noted Keshav Maharaj‘s impressive performances from South Africa, and expressed his admiration for Kuldeep Yadav‘s bowling. Herath also mentioned Prabath Jayasuriya as a standout spinner from Sri Lanka, indicating these bowlers are among his top picks.
“It’s got to be Ravichandran Ashwin and Nathan Lyon if you take finger spinners. Another one I like is of course Keshav Maharaj from South Africa. I’m also always very keen on watching Kuldeep Yadav bowl I mean. As for Sri Lanka, of course, Prabath Jayasuriya, so yes, these are some of the names that come across my mind,” Herath said.
Sri Lankan spinners’ triumph in recent series
Sri Lanka’s spin department has shown its prowess in recent times, particularly in the white-ball format. During the recent ODI series against India, Sri Lankan spinners were instrumental, claiming a total of 27 wickets. This performance set a new record for the most wickets taken by spinners in a bilateral series of fewer than four games. Their remarkable bowling effort led to a historic series victory over India, a feat Sri Lanka had not achieved in ODIs against India for 27 years.
