Jayawardene lavishes praise on Rangana Herath ? Cricket News ...

Jayawardene lavishes praise on Rangana Herath ? Cricket News Update

Sri Lankan skipper Mahela Jayawardene, on Tuesday rated promising left-arm spinner Rangana Herath as the second-best slow bowler he has played with, after magician Muttiah Muralitharan who retired from Test cricket back in 2010.

On day three?of the first Test in Galle, New Zealand, resuming on an overnight 34 for 1, slumped to 118 all out inside the morning session, with Herath claiming six wickets in the second innings. The hosts chased down the meagre 93-run target before tea on the third day, without losing a wicket. This was New Zealand?s fifth Test defeat in a row.

Herath?s astounding five-wicket haul on Monday set the tone for Sri Lanka?s comprehensive victory over the on-tour New Zealand side. The 34-year-old left-armer returned with match figures of 11 for 108 to become the leading Test wicket-taker for 2012.

While speaking to media reporters after the win, Jayawardene said that Herath?s ability to put the opposition under pressure early on has been the key to their consistent performance in the longest format of the game over the last couple of years.

"Rangana knows what he is doing with the ball and he knows what the batsman is doing as well," said Jayawardene after the crushing victory over Ross Taylor and men on Monday.

"After Murali, from what I've seen in Sri Lankan cricket, he is the next best thing. Others have chipped in but Rangana has become the leading bowler for us."

"Because of the pressure he is creating on the opposition and the way he's performed, it has enabled us to be consistent in Test cricket in the last two years or so," added the Sri Lankan opener, who starred with the bat for the hosts, playing a meticulous knock of 91 runs to put the side back on track after an early blow in their first innings (20 for 4).

Herath made his Test debut in September 1999, and has to date played 41 Tests taking 165 wickets, including 12 five-wicket and two ten-wicket hauls. Both his ten-wicket hauls have come at Galle this year.

Sri Lanka lead the two-Test series 1-0. The second Test gets underway at P Sara Oval, Colombo on Sunday.

Source: http://blogs.bettor.com/Jayawardene-lavishes-praise-on-Rangana-Herath-Cricket-News-Update-a202660

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