Dilruwan’s 3/53 the pick as Herath closes on record
On a day the spin duo of Dilruwan Perera and Rangana Herath shared six wickets between them in bowling out Bangladesh for 312, the third day’s high point was the Sri Lankan skipper edging closer to the personal milestone of becoming the highest wicket taking left arm spinner in Test cricket history at the Galle Esplanade yesterday.
If it was the 34-year spin all rounder Dilruwan Perera who was literally Sri Lanka’s early hero in accounting for two wickets that of Mehedi Hasan (41) and Taskin Ahmed in successive balls on a day bad light was a spoiler. The double blow inflicted by Perera that precipitated Bangladesh being dismissed for the addition of 14 runs after having recovered from 192 for 6 from a first session setback of losing overnight batsman Soumya Sarkar for 71. Perera proved to be the most economical wicket taker with 3 for 53.
But it was the 38-year old spin veteran Rangana Herath, who had rotated his bowlers persistently, that drummed up the interest in claiming the final wicket to take his Test tally to 360 and 3 short of going the world record of 362 held by New Zealander Daniel Vettori. His wait would expectantly find fruition in his next go at Bangladesh. The record would deservedly thrust Herath further up in the record breaking pendulum. He remains the second highest wicket taker for his country next to Muttiah Muralitharan’s world record of 795 wickets, having gone past fast bowler Chaminda Vaas’ 355 from 111 matches and 194 innings. Herath’s averages have contrastingly been flattering his 360 scalps taking the spin wizard just 79 matches and 143 innings.
Bangladesh avoiding the follow on was mainly through a brave captain’s knock of 85 by Mushfiqur Rahim off 161 balls and in 248 minutes spanning 8 boundaries and a six. His seventh wicket 106-run alliance between Mehedi was the redeeming factor from a Bangladeshi perspective.
Sri Lanka’s bowling department saw pace men Suranga Lakmal and new boy Lahiru Kumara accounting for a wicket each with spinner Lakshan Sandakan also chipping in with one.
By Srian Obeyesekere
-The opinions expressed here are the views of the writer and do not necessarily reflect the views and opinions of Sri Lanka Cricket-
