Over the last two decades or so, there has been a dearth of quality left-arm spinners in international cricket.
Over the last two decades or so, there has been a dearth of quality left-arm spinners in international cricket. But the few that are around including the likes of Daniel Vettori, Shakib-Al-Hasan and Rangana Herath keep on assuring fans that the art of left-arm spin is far from finished.
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The remarkable perseverance and variations that Herath showed in India's first innings during the second Test at the Green Park reassured the prominence of his breed at the international stage. The left-armer's five for 121, his last spell reading 11-2-18-5, helped Sri Lanka restrict the hosts to 642 when at one stage they threatened to cross the 700-mark. Lanka then ended Day Two on 80 for one.
Elated after bagging his maiden fifer away from home, Herath attributed his success to the variations he used. "I mixed up my deliveries. On a wicket where it's easy to bat, it's very important to mix it up. The bowlers didn't have much assistance," Herath said.
During the prelude to the series, it was the carrom ball that dominated the headlines. Though the world noticed the delivery when Ajantha Mendis used it effectively last year, it was actually Herath who introduced it.
"I've done well with the carrom ball but Ajantha did better than me. I started bowling it when I was 15," Herath had told MiD DAY before the first Test.
And effective it was! Three of his five dismissals Mahendra Singh Dhoni, Harbhajan Singh and S Sreesanth came off the in-coming delivery.
Despite making his Test debut way back in 1999, the 31-year-old is playing only his 20th Test, thanks to the lack of a slot in the playing XI due to the presence of Muralitharan and then the rise of Mendis. But he did not allow himself to lose focus and made the most of his opportunity when he was called to join the team at the 11th hour ahead of Sri Lanka's first Test against Pakistan in July. He hasn't looked back since then.
"I am not disappointed at being ignored for so many years. I've played only 20 Tests for Sri Lanka in 10 years but I'm happy with what I have achieved," he said.
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