Dean Elgar praises Rangana Herath – Cricket News Update
South African batsman, http://www.senore.com/Cricket/HMRKB-Herath-c1559 as the player most likely to trouble the Proteas' formidable batting line in the upcoming Test series.
Elgar skippered the South African Invitation XI against Sri Lankans and was impressed with the bowling work of the left-arm spinner, who ended the practice game with figures of 3 for 58. With the South African pitches renowned for their support of seamers, the emergence of Herath as a major threat might not ring alarms bells for the national team, which possess enough fire power in their ranks to deal with spin.
"Herath is probably the most consistent bowler for them," he claimed while talking ESPNcricinfo. "He seems to have a few variations and also bowls a ball that he flicks out and which comes on a bit quicker. But, overall, their bowling is a little bit thin in the seam department. You do need seamers in http://www.senore.com/Cricket/South-Africa-c757; you can't just come in with spinners."
The Lankans are certainly short of leaders in the pace department where they have a mounting list of injured bowlers which includes http://www.senore.com/Cricket/KMDN-Kulasekara-c1802, who are all sidelined for the start of a crucial series.
In their absence, http://www.senore.com/Cricket/CRD-Fernando-c1292 and Nuwan Pradeep will take on the responsibility and while Fernando performed well in the practice game ( taking a four-wicket haul), the main worry is his consistency, which saw him concede over 4 runs per over.
Pradeep could only bowl 1.4 overs in the match due to a slight niggle, and his involvement in the first Test is now depend upon his fitness. The only positive news for the tourists was the return of all-rounder http://www.senore.com/Cricket/AD-Mathews-c913 to the bowling department.
Mathews bowled more than eight overs in the match – his first spell in over a year. However, his medium pacers are unlikely to cause any havoc, which means Fernando remains their safest bet with Elgar expecting the pacer provide the team with the much needed solidarity in the attack.
"Fernando is a skiddy bowler; he will keep you busy if he finds a good rhythm and his experience helps him a lot. He is a banker for them," he added.
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