New Delhi, Aug 12 : Former captain Mahela Jayawardena has heaped praise upon Prabath Jayasuriya and said that the spinner has had an impressive beginning in Test cricket, and he hopes that he will do excellent for Sri Lanka going forward.The 30-year-old had a remarkable beginning to his career in Test cricket with at least three wickets in every innings of his Test career thus far.He also walked away with the ICC Men’s Player of the Month award for July 2022.
Jayasuriya who made his debut in the Galle Test against Australia last month, posted figures of 12/177 making him the first spinner following Muttiah Muralitharan and Rangana Herath to pick up twelve or more wickets in an Test.
He continued to show his prolific vein of performance against Pakistan taking 17 wickets in the series and two five-wicket hauls.In addition, he has picked up 29 wickets in three Tests thus far, Jayasuriya has made a impressive debut to his career in whites.
“He has been in the game for quite a while.He’s played lots of first-class cricket and has plenty of experience in his resume.He hasn’t had the chance.It’s obvious that Rangana Herath had been dominating for the last 10 or so years.After that, Sri Lanka did go in different directions, with the help of a couple of young players,” Jayawardena said in the ICC Review.
“(Lasith) Embuldeniya, on his debut too performed really, really well in the first few episodes.And Praveen Jayawickrama too.Thus, he had to wait for his chance.In the last several years, he has been really constant, Prabath, and the selectors have placed an enormous amount of trust in his performance and he has performed,” he added.
Jayawardena believes that Sri Lanka will benefit from having him around for the coming years, perhaps when he is on tour.
“He is able to improve as he is an natural bowler.he has played plenty of cricket and is a master of the game.
Having observed the bowler closely at SSC which is which is where he plays his home cricket, he’s got excellent action, a excellent rotation, and he is extremely precise and so, even when away from home when he can control his line and length, with the height, he can bounce” the Sri Lankan legend claimed.
“So I’m pretty certain that he will be a success for Sri Lanka going forward,” he added.
Sri Lanka are at No 3 in the ICC World Test Championship after the Pakistan series, and are in with the chance to make it to the finals next year.While their position is as promising as it is but the former captain was clear that Sri Lanka wouldn’t have it easy.
“They (Sri Lanka) have been playing some really excellent cricket.Particularly in their home country, they’ve been extremely constant with regard to Australia as well as Pakistan,” said Jayawardena.
“It will be a difficult task (to get into the WTC Final) because Sri Lanka does not play many Test matches that lead to the back end of the cycle.However, they do have they do have a couple of crucial series.
If they win a few games away from home, it’ll provide them with a chance.Also but at the same time there are a the majority of the other outcomes have to be in Sri Lanka’s favor too,” he added.
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