Sporting icons : Rangana Herath- Sri Lanka's legendary left arm spinner - Career HLs , video

 


Rangana Herath was born on March 19, 1978, in Kurunegala, Sri Lanka. He was a left-arm orthodox spinner who became one of Sri Lanka’s greatest match-winners in Test cricket. Known for his subtle variations, accuracy, and ability to outthink batsmen, Herath played a crucial role in Sri Lanka’s success, especially after the retirement of Muttiah Muralitharan.

Style of Play

Herath was a classical left-arm spinner who relied on:

  • Flight and deception rather than extreme turn.
  • Pinpoint accuracy and consistency.
  • Smart variations in pace and angle to outfox batsmen.
  • Match-winning performances under pressure, particularly in home conditions.

Despite not having the mystery spin of some modern bowlers, his cricketing intelligence made him a formidable bowler, particularly in Test matches.

Bowling, Batting & Fielding Records

Test Cricket Records

  • Matches: 93
  • Wickets: 433
  • Bowling Average: 28.07
  • Best Bowling in an Innings: 9/127
  • Best Bowling in a Match: 13/152
  • Five-Wicket Hauls: 34
  • Ten-Wicket Hauls: 9

ODI Records

  • Matches: 71
  • Wickets: 74
  • Bowling Average: 31.91
  • Best Bowling in an Innings: 4/20

T20I Records

  • Matches: 17
  • Wickets: 18
  • Bowling Average: 20.05
  • Best Bowling in an Innings: 5/3

Batting & Fielding Records

Though primarily a bowler, Herath contributed valuable lower-order runs.

  • Test Runs: 1,326 | Batting Average: 14.42 | Highest Score: 66
  • ODI Runs: 249 | Batting Average: 9.96 | Highest Score: 19
  • T20I Runs: 5 | Highest Score: 4*
  • First-Class Runs: 3,682 | Batting Average: 18.31 | Highest Score: 80

First-Class Record

  • Matches: 237
  • Wickets: 1,024
  • Bowling Average: 24.95
  • Best Bowling in an Innings: 9/127

Career Highlights in Detail

  • Test Debut: September 22, 1999, vs Australia in Galle.
  • Breakthrough Performance (2009): Took 5/99 against Pakistan, cementing his place in the team.
  • Led Sri Lanka’s Spin Attack (2010–2018): Became Sri Lanka’s No. 1 spinner after Muttiah Muralitharan's retirement.
  • 9/127 vs Pakistan (2014): One of the best bowling performances by a Sri Lankan.
  • Sri Lanka’s Series Win Over Australia (2016): Took 28 wickets in three Tests, including a hat-trick.
  • 400th Test Wicket: Became the oldest player to take 400 Test wickets at age 39 in 2017.
  • T20 World Cup Winner (2014): Played a crucial role in Sri Lanka's 2014 ICC T20 World Cup victory, bowling a match-winning 5/3 against New Zealand.
  • Retired in 2018 after a final Test match in Galle against England.


Major Bowling Performances

  • 9/127 vs Pakistan (2014) – Career-best figures in an innings.
  • 13/152 vs Pakistan (2014) – Best match figures, leading Sri Lanka to victory.
  • 7/48 vs India (2015) – Dismantled India to bowl them out for just 112 in Galle.
  • 6/81 vs Australia (2016) – Played a key role in Sri Lanka’s historic 3-0 whitewash of Australia.
  • Hat-trick vs Australia (2016) – First left-arm spinner to take a Test hat-trick.
  • 5/3 vs New Zealand (2014 T20 World Cup) – One of the most economical five-wicket hauls in T20 history.

Legacy

  • Second-highest wicket-taker for Sri Lanka in Tests (after Muttiah Muralitharan).
  • Most successful left-arm spinner in Test history.
  • One of the few bowlers to take 400+ Test wickets, despite starting as a backup spinner.
  • A key figure in Sri Lanka’s golden spin era, guiding young spinners after Muralitharan's retirement.
  • Remembered for his humility, cricketing intelligence, and ability to win matches single-handedly.

Rangana Herath remains one of Sri Lanka’s greatest Test cricketers, proving that consistency and skill can lead to a legendary career.

Watch Herath's brilliant bowling spell vs South Africa in a Test 

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