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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
Herath recently 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 during a discussion with Arvind Krishnan, as quoted by Cricblog.
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.
