Retiring Rangana Herath optimistic Sri Lanka will continue to produce great players

Sport360 staff 18:01 05/11/2018
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  • Ready for his swansong: Rangana Herath.

    Rangana Herath is confident he will not be the last of the Sri Lankan greats.

    The left-arm spinner, now 40 years old and 10th on the list of all-time Test wicket-takers with 430, will take his bow from international cricket after this week’s series opener against England in Galle.

    When he leaves the field for the final team the Test game will lose its last link with the previous millennium – Herath having debuted against Australia in 1999 – and Sri Lanka will have lost arguably their last recognisably world-class performer in the format.

    He proved an unexpectedly adept successor when Muttiah Muralitharan retired in 2010, but the loss in recent years of stellar names such as Kumar Sangakkara, Mahela Jayawardene and Tillakaratne Dilshan have left Sri Lanka short on elite talent.

    Herath, though, holds out hope of a new generation coming up behind.

    Herath is confident about Sri Lanka's next generation.

    Herath is confident about Sri Lanka’s next generation.

    “Of course there can be more, even if you take this squad and the one-day squad there is a lot of potential and ability,” he said at a farewell press conference.

    “If we can give them the right environment and the right mental support you will see great Sri Lankan players in the future as well.

    “Ending your career is not an easy decision to take but you need to take a decision at the right time.

    “For me, this is high time to stop playing international cricket.”

    Herath later choked back tears after giving thanks to those who had helped him in his long and storied career.

    “I have given my best to my country, to Sri Lankan cricket and to my team,” he said.

    “When you are are leaving the sport that you love of course it is a sad moment.”

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