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29 March 2024

Moody warns Aussies to watch out for Herath

Sri Lanka's Rangana Herath (left) celebrates with Thilan Samaraweera (centre) after taking the wicket of New Zealand's captain Ross Taylor during the third day of the first Test in Galle on November 19, 2012. (REUTERS)

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By Staff

Former Sri Lanka cricket coach Tom Moody has told the Australians to watch out for left-arm spinner Rangana Herath, who arrived in Australia as the highest wicket taker for the year 2012.

He has taken more Test wickets than Dale Steyn and James Anderson in the past two years, and sits second in the world rankings.

Humbled by the might of South Africa's all-star pace attack, the Australians must now contend with the guile of Herath, who has emerged from the shadow of the great Muttiah Muralidaran.

Sri Lanka’s pace bowling department is inexperienced, but in Herath the tourists have someone who has played first class cricket for 16 years and Test cricket for 13 years.
 
"He’s a very clever bowler … he’s got the tools," Moody told journalists. "He’s only short so he doesn’t get (much) bounce. He turns the ball both ways and he’s got wonderful control and control of his pace as well - he changes that very, very cleverly. He’s a classical finger spinner who uses every bit of his skill to his advantage."
 
Herath is a veteran of over 200 first class games and although his short stature doesn’t purchase him much bounce, Moody believes the DRS system will work to his benefit.
 
"If Rangana hits someone on the knee roll you can guarantee there’ll be questions asked and the third umpire will come into play," Moody said. "In a way the DRS will favour him because he’s skidding on and not bouncing over."
 
Herath was the Man of the Series in the recent Test series against New Zealand after taking 20 wickets.

Australia have struggled against left-arm spin bowling in recent times and given Herath’s standings he is likely to trouble the opposition.
 
Despite being a late bloomer, Herath, with 174 wickets from 42 Tests, sits third behind Muralidaran and Chaminda Vaas on Sri Lanka's all-time list.
 
"He possibly could have played another 30 or 40 Tests but it's a bit like Mike Hussey," Moody said.
 
"He spent longer honing his skills in the shadow of Murali, which may well have worked to his advantage over time, instead of being thrown into the lion's den, so to speak, and have to work it out on the run.
 
"He's been able to work on it slowly and with bowlers like Murali around him and captains like Mahela (Jayawardene) and Sanga (Kumar Sangakkara) over time.
 
"He's probably a better bowler for having served a longer apprenticeship than most."