Will Herath be the bogeyman again in his swan song?
When England last toured Sri Lanka in March-April 2012, Mahela Jayawardena’s phenomenal consistency both in Galle and at the Sara Stadium, would have given him the edge over teammate Rangana Hearth, when it came to picking the ‘Man of the Series’. Jayawardena had an amazing run, with scores of 180, 105 and 64. Not far behind was Herath with bags of 6-74, 6-98 and 6-133.
The tour was Kevin Pietersen's last tour as a cricketer to Sri Lanka
Mercurial, tempestuous Kevin Pietersen, however, in the eyes of many, played the most dominating innings of the series with his 151 off 165 balls in the 2nd Test. The way he attacked danger-man Herath, must have proved to his mates that the left-armer was no ogre, but a mere human. Peterson also contributed an unbeaten 42 in his 2nd knock, when a small chase could have proved embarrassing.
What of the mighty Kumar Sangakkara? This was one series where he preferred to be low and abide in the shadow of his mate.
Sri Lanka’s 318 at their well-nigh impenetrable fortress was chiefly the result of Jayawardena’s 180. The next highest was Dinesh Chandimal’s 27. Grass or no grass, that reliable seamer Jimmy Anderson came up with a 5-for.
The stylish elegant Ian Bell scored 52. Herath’s 6-74 was almost too much for the other batters. Graham Swann then took centre stage and, on a weaving wicket, turned up trumps (6-82). Prasanna Jayawardena produced a vital unbeaten 61 in a poor 2nd effort of 214 by the local team.
The target was 340, but England made only 264. Jonathan Trott, however, was in his element, stroking 112 with his whips off the toes and off the hip, accompanied by drives through the off side. Matt Prior 41, Pietersen 30 and skipper Andrew Strauss (27) caused only mild concern.
Herath’s 6-98, had a match-bag of 12-172. This was the first occasion on which he took 10 or more wickets in a Test.
Jayawardena 105, Thilan Samaraweera 54 and Angelo Mathews 57 helped the team to reach relative respectability. Swann (4-75), Anderson (3-62) and Bresnan (2-47) accounted for the wickets.
England seized their chance and made certain the home team did not raise their heads. Openers Alastair Cook (94) and Strauss (61) provided runs at the top. Trott consolidated with 64, but it was Pietersen who bludgeoned 151 to ensure his team continued to call the shots. Heroic Herath had the excellent figures of 53-9-133-6.
Jayawardena made 64, while there were 40s from Samaraweera and Mathews. In addition, Dhammika Prasad (84), T.M. Dilshan (35) and Sangakkara (21) lent their shoulders to the wheel.
With Cook providing the ballast with an unbeaten 49 and Pietersen, the aggression with his 42 not out, England coasted to an 8-wicket win before tea on Day 5.
As for individual performances, Swann (40-2-106-6) must have induced false hopes that the Englishmen were ripe for the plucking on a 5th-Day pitch. Swann had match figures of 10-181, while Herath had his 10th bag of 5 or more in an innings.
Jayawardena and Pietersen walked away with the ‘Series’ and ‘Match’ awards.
Six-and-a-half years later, these two teams meet up in Galle for the 1st of 3 Tests. This will be the left-armer’s farewell-test and he would like to go out on a high. A slow, turning track and a spin-trap for Joe Root’s Englishmen could be on the cards.