Sports Desk (November 6, 2018): Rangana Herath is making his 93rd and final Test appearance for Sri Lanka when they clash against England in the series-opener at Galle from Tuesday.
Herath made his debut at the same Galle International Stadium in 1999, and retiring at the venue will be an emotional affair.
Former teammates, admirers, opponents … everyone has a word for Rangana Herath as the Sri Lankan icon bids goodbye to international cricket.
First up, teammates past and present, who tweeted out their appreciation for Herath’s services to Sri Lankan cricket.
Best wishes @HerathRSL as you play your final test. It’s been an incredible journey filled with unforgettable moments of joy, heartbreak and glory. Yet through it all You played the game with grace and humility. Greatness sits firmly but lightly upon your shoulders.
— Kumar Sangakkara (@KumarSanga2) November 6, 2018
https://twitter.com/MahelaJay/status/1059494204928225281?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw%7Ctwcamp%5Etweetembed%7Ctwterm%5E1059494204928225281&ref_url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.icc-cricket.com%2Fnews%2F901170
The little Champ @HerathRSL Congratulations on a fabulous career and all the best to life after . One of the best as a player and person too. #Galle #SLVENG pic.twitter.com/nlPQrWbWEr
— Russel Arnold (@RusselArnold69) November 6, 2018
Wishing @HerathRSL the legend nothing but the best.Thanks for your services #greathuman pic.twitter.com/hT129LXmll
— Angelo Mathews (@Angelo69Mathews) November 6, 2018
Going into his final Test, Herath has picked 430 wickets at an average of 27.95 and a strike rate of 59.7 in 168 Test bowling innings in his career.
He is amongst the Ten-leading wicket-takers in Test cricket history.
Only Muralitharan, Warne, Kumble, Anderson, McGrath, Walsh, Kapil Dev, Broad and Hadlee have taken more wickets – that is the elite company Herath is an exclusive member of.
This also means that he is the third-highest wicket taker (after Anderson and Broad) amongst all contemporary bowlers in Test cricket.
Herath needs one wicket to equal Hadlee’s tally. He is three shy of Broad and four of Kapil. He could go down in history as the seventh-highest wicket taker of all-time.
Last act for Herath, spin’s man of masteryhttps://t.co/xIXxf3slMr
— Mike atherton (@Athersmike) November 6, 2018
Only Murali (67), Warne (37), Hadlee (36) and Kumble (35) have more five-wickets in an innings than Herath (34).
This makes Herath an all-time great of the game.
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