Rangana Herath is retiring. And he is taking a piece of Test cricket with him.
As we move towards the end of the first quarter of this century, our link to the the late 1990s is becoming weaker. Those who we idolised and watched growing up have moved on in life or are in the process of doing so.
In the world of social media where T20 cricket and sport cut down to two-minute highlights for hand-held devices, Herath is one of the very few remnants from a period where patience and reverence for Test cricket was a given.
As the 40-year-old prepares for his swansong against England in the Galle Test, the Sri Lankan left-arm spinner should walk out with his head held high.
Gilchrist, Hussain, Ambrose, Dhoni and now Herath, some of the recent champions who haven’t played 100 Tests despite being so so close #cricket
— Chandresh Narayanan (@chand2579) October 22, 2018
While it was a 19-year-long career, the fact is that it only truly became Herath from 2010 following the retirement of Muttiah Muralitharan. He had to wait nearly 11 years to become the leader of the spin attack but when he did – well into his 30s – Herath grabbed the opportunity with all his limbs.
Since he turned 31, Herath picked up a staggering 394 wickets. According to ESPNcricinfo, his 230 Test wicket after turning 35 are the most by any bowler in history. His 430 wickets place him 10th on the all-time list and also make him the most successful left-arm spinner in history.
Playing the last few years with a banged up knee, Herath has tried to push his body as much as he can but he clearly couldn’t anymore. Test cricket is very unforgiving.
What many fans tend to forget is that he has done this while being a regular employee at Sampath Bank, while doing actual bank work and applying for leave to HR whenever cricket calls.
Herath is the last active player who debuted in 1990s. Now he will be gone soon. Kumar Sangakkara, Shivnarine Chanderpaul, Mahela Jayawardene, Daniel Vettori have all gone. Alastair Cook recently retired. Another thread tying us to that beloved dream is cut.
