Unlike the long list of mystery spinners which Sri Lanka has churned out over the years- Muttiah Muralitharan, Ajantha Mendis- he has no quirks in his action, yet has the ability to weave magic with his fingers.
Stocky of build, as unathletic-looking as a professional athlete can be, Rangana Herath can still become a force you may not have envisaged.
He has the record of best bowling figures in Tests by a left-arm spinner.
Childhood
Herath Mudiyanselage Rangana Keerthi Bandara Herath was born on March 19, 1978. He started his cricket career at his first school Mayurapada Central College, Narammala.
Professional Career
Herath made his debut in 1999 against Australia, but was back in the wilderness after three Tests, following a wicket-less Test against Pakistan in 2000
He got a call up to play for the national team after four years following his strong and impressive domestic seasons.
Herath only played one Test in that series and played the occasional Test match in 2005 before being ignored for the next three years. He was recalled again in 2008 but he was not able to contribute much.
In 2008, Herath revived his Test career as he picked up 15 wickets at 26.93 from three Tests against Pakistan. He continued his good form, picking up eight wickets in the next Test he played against New Zealand.
The rise
After being understudy to Muralitharan for close to a decade, Herath assumed the mantle of Sri Lanka’s strike bowler post the talismanic spinner’s retirement. Herath may lack Murali’s aura, but he has held his own with subtle variations and dipping turn.
Herath blossomed in 2011 when he conjured up nine wickets in Durban to spin Sri Lanka to a famous victory – their first Test win on South African shores.
The left-arm spinner continued his fantastic form into the home series against England. He collected 20 wickets at an unbelievable average of 13.90 to terrorise the English batsmen.
Herath’s purple-patch was in 2012, wherein he finished with 60 Test scalps, saw him pip his more illustrious compatriot and former skipper, Kumar Sangakkara, to be conferred with the Cricketer of the year honour in SLC awards 2013.
A year later in 2014, Herath single-handedly spun Sri Lanka to the semi-final of the T20 Cup in Bangladesh with a mesmerising bowling spell, reading 3.3-2-3-5. With some classic flight and guile, he just toyed with the Kiwi batsmen.
Most recently, he choked the life out of India’s chase of 176 by taking 7 for 48 to condemn the visitors to a 63-run defeat.
His mantra
Herath attributed this remarkable turnaround to a change in attitude. As a youngster, he always played under pressure, trying to cement his place in the team, but of late, he has taken a more relaxed and confident approach, and that has helped him succeed.