"Being an oldest active player doesn't bother me": Rangana Herath by Bipin Dani

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Player:

HMRKB Herath

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DateLine: 17th April 2017

 

Mumbai, Apr. 17 : Misbah-ul-Haq and Younis Khan, the two senior members of the Pakistani team who have announced to retire next month after the ongoing series against the West Indies will now pave way for Sri Lankan veteran Rangana Herath to claim another Test honour.

 

Sri Lanka's veteran left-arm spinner Rangana Herath will be the only active Test cricketer who debuted in the 1990s.

 

"Oh..is it so...?, he laughed when brought this to his notice.

 

Herath, 39 now, made his Test debut (against Australia at Galle) in 1999, two years before Misbah-ul-Haq (age: 43 years) and one year before Younis Khan (39 years) played their first ever Tests.

 

"It (being oldest) does not bother me. The passion is there and I am still playing and love the game is more important", speaking exclusively, Herath said from Sri Lanka.

 

"It is easy for the batsmen to have longer playing days than the bowlers. This is because bowlers are more prone to the injuries. And specially the percentage of fast bowlers getting injured is more than the normal injuries by other players".

 

"However, I have no regrets to be a bowler. I enjoy the game", Herath added.

 

"I have not decided on my retirement plan. I have not set any taget for the wickets, but yes, I would be happy to achieve 400 Test wickets".

 

Herath is 27 short of this landmark.

 

"My immediate task is to remain fit and play the forthcoming two home series against Zimbabwe and India. We want to win against the visiting Kohlis", he signed off.

 

(Article: The opinions expressed in this article are those of the author only.
Copyright © 2017 Bipin Dani)