GALLE, Monday – Sri Lanka’s legendary left-arm spinner Rangana Herath broke down emotionally for a moment before recovering his poise while addressing the media ahead of his final Test appearance for his country in the first match of a three-Test series against England starting at the Galle International Stadium today.
After answering questions from journalists Herath began to thank those who had played a big part in his life as a cricketer and from the onset the very mention of his parents who are no longer with him brought tears to his eyes which he fought back to regain his composure and continue.
“For me to come this far, the biggest strength has been my parents. They are no more,” said Herath.
“My wife and children, my coaches and teachers, my school friends, I would like to remember them all,” Herath continued.
“I am also loyal to Sri Lanka Cricket. I have had a long association with them. My team mates and captains have been superb. Their support has been great. Otherwise I would have not played for this long. I am thankful to all of them all the coaches and the selectors. Some of the decisions they took helped me to get there. Although I was dropped from the side, I was never taken out of the ‘A’ team.”
“I have played for lot of clubs, Kurunegala YCC, Colts, NCC, Moors and Tamil Union. The people who have helped me during my injuries – the doctors, physios and trainers and all those in the backroom. The media has been great. You have always encouraged us. A special thanks to all of you guys in the media. Players will fail and I ask you to support them. I am thankful to all the sponsors. I have done three jobs East West Marketing, John Keels and Sampath Bank. I am thankful to all of them. Also the fans, thank you for everything you have been to me,” he said.
Describing the beginning of his journey as a cricketer Herath recounted: “I studied at three schools. St. Bernadette’s Vidyalaya, Narammala Mayurapada Vidyalaya and Maliyadeva Vidyalaya, Kurunegala. Mayurapada is the place I started playing cricket. I met Mr. Lal Dinapurna. I had some talent and Mr. Rohan Weerasuriya took me to Maliyadeva. After that in 1994 I got an opportunity to tour Malaysia with the Sri Lanka Under-17 team. That was the point I got a desire for the game. I realized I had some potential and then played for the Under-19 side. In 1999 I got an opportunity to play for Moors. Then I got a break to go to England with the ‘A’ team. Good performances their helped me to make my Test debut.
“Until 2000 I was in the Sri Lankan side but opportunities were few and rare. In 2002 I got an opportunity again and in 2004. But that didn’t last long. I am happy looking back. The way I exhibited my skills to force a comeback was important. I had confidence in me that I could do this again. In 2009 I got a break and from that point I was able to hold onto a place in the national side.”
Herath rated his greatest achievement in international cricket was playing his first Test match against Australia at Galle in 1999. “As an international player my first game is always memorable playing the Aussies here in Galle. Winning the World T-20 in 2014 was great as well. That was our first major win after the 1996 World Cup. Disappointments were playing in the 2011 World Cup and 2012 World T-20 where we came to the finals and lost. So 2014 was always a cherishing experience.”
Looking at Test cricket and how much it has changed since he made his debut in 1999, Herath said, “I can see some difference. At the start we didn’t have T-20 cricket. We have now more competitive cricket and we have more skilful and aggressive players. In Test cricket and ODIs we have fewer maiden overs. Players are playing shots and they have improved their skills compared to 20 years ago.”
Herath said that it was the advent of T20 cricket that led to him retiring from white ball cricket after the World T20 in 2016 and concentrate on Test matches. “You have to be 100 percent fit to play T-20s and ODIs. That was one reason to take the decision at that time,” said Herath who has been playing the latter years with crocked knees.
He said the most important element that kept him performing the way he has done is accuracy. “I don’t see any rocket science. If you take the orthodox spinners what they have is that they are able to maintain the right length and right line. If you get to left-arm spinners there is natural variation. The last 15 years of my career I gained a lot of experience and that helped me. If you have a strong and smooth action the line and length can be maintained.”
Herath who requires one more wicket to reach 100 Test wickets at Galle said that he would like to share a bit of his knowledge with some of the younger players and added that there was still after his retirement.
“If you take even this squad and the ODI squad, there is lot of potential. If we can give them the right environment and the right mental support I am sure you will see good players in the future as well.”
