Rangana Herath - from wilderness to forefront
by Tyrell Peiris
For slow left arm orthodox
spinner Rangana Herath playing international cricket had at one time
looked a distant dream. Despite his talent and impassive performances on
the domestic scene waiting in the sidelines had been his lot. And
understandably so. What with a world prodigy in the form of Muttiah
Muralidaran dominating not only the local but international scenario as
well as his forging ahead from strength to strength.
Fact is that with the record breaking Murali around and at his best
at one time Sri Lanka had not thought of looking beyond the magical
bowler for another in his art to make the national team.
But then as in the case of spinners where sometimes luck smiles down
on you when you least expect in the twilight years, 31-year old Herath
Mudiyanselage Rangana Kerthi Bandara Herath has struck it rich.
So much so that the lad from Kurunegela and product of Maliyadeva
College has breathed down on the two frontline spinners Muttiah
Muralidaran - world record holder for the highest number of wickets in
both Tests and ODIs - and Ajantha Mendis.
After having got the nod of the nationals electors in 1999 when he
bowled superbly against the Australians with a ‘mystery ball’ that gave
Sri Lanka a home series triumph against the world beaters, Herath next
found recognition in 2004-2005 during the tour of Pakistan when he
claimed 11 wickets in two matches.
He was recalled for the tour of the West Indies after nearly three
years in the wilderness but did not impress until the first Test against
Pakistan in July 1999. That was in fact the comeback year for Rangana
Herath who won the coveted ‘Man of the Match’ award in the first Test in
which he bowled Sri Lanka to an improbable win.
Meeting Rangana’s coach Ajith Ekanayake, also a product of Maliyadeva
College, was interesting. Ajith told the ‘Sunday Observer’ magazine that
in fact it was he who had kept advising Rangana not to be upset when he
was not getting the nod of the selectors.
“I told Rangana to keep working hard and bowl a line always and that
he would be rewarded. How true it has turned out to be. Now Rangana has
found that hard work is rewarding. He should have been recognised about
five years ago when I believe he was at his peak.
But I must say Rangana still has a few years more to offer to Sri
Lanka cricket,” marvelled Aith Ekanayake, a provincial coach with Sri
Lanka Cricket (SLC) preparing spin bowling talent from the junior level
upto the under-19 level so that they could be earmarked to make it to
the ‘A’ and national team when the likes of Muralidaran, Mendis and
Herath give up.
Rangana has claimed over 70 wickets from 22 matches including the
five wicket haul in the drawn first Test match against India in the
ongoing series in India at a strike rate of 71.5, economy rate of 2.91
and average of 34.74. His five wickets for 121 runs against India was
his fourth five-wicket haul and is testimony that Rangana has at long
last arrived to stay in the Sri Lanka team for some time. |
