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Rangana Herath obsessed with first over wicket

BIPIN DANI. Dated: 7/20/2017 1:41:57 PM

MUMBAI, July 19: Sri Lanka's slow left-arm orthodox spinner Rangana Herath has achieved the mastery in grabbing the first wicket in his very first over in Tests matches.
Except him no other spinner has struck in his first over more than 15 times in his last 10 years of Test cricket.
"Oh, is it so ? I never knew this...", he responded when this feat was brought to his notice by the Reporter.
Zimbabwe's Regis Chakabva was his last victim to be out in Herath's first over in the just concluded Test match at Colombo. Interestingly, the Zimbabwean opener was again Herath's victim off the first ball of
Herath's second over in the second innings.
"There is no secret as such in achieving this (early breakthrough). It is only due to my sheer dedication, control over the ball and pitching it at good line and length", Herath said exclusively.
Herath, with his 11 wickets against Zimbabwe was named the Player of the Series. "Winning the Player of the Series award was not as important as winning the Test. The Test was evenly poised and both teams superbly played in all four innings and eventually we won. The credit must go to all team members rather than individuals", he added.
"Though we were competitive and fought ourselves out of positions we in the past have capitulated in. Proud of the progress and to compete with Sri Lanka in their conditions is gratifying", the Zimbabwe coach, Heath Streak said before leaving the Sri Lankan shore late on Tuesday night.
It was rather strange to have Player of the Match and also Player of the Series in one of the Test. Perhaps the sponsors / broadcasters nowadays don't want to miss the opportunity to give out as many awards as possible.