Sri Lanka’s Herath hopes spin will trouble Aussies

SYDNEY (AFP): Sri Lanka’s Rangana Herath said, because Australian batsmen have faced so little quality spin bowling recently he is a good position to take wickets in the upcoming Boxing Day Test.

Australia struggled against the fast bowling attack of South Africa earlier this summer, losing the three Test series 1-0.

“I know that the Australians, playing even in domestic cricket, they play 80% to 90% against fast bowlers,” the Sri Lankan orthodox left-armer told reporters on Saturday.

“So with that, I have chances to get wickets bowling spin.”

Herath, who took five for 95 in the second innings of the first Test against Australia in Hobart, which the tourists lost, said as the MCG pitch wears it could help his spin.

The Sri Lankan said his team would not be daunted by playing in the Boxing Day Test but acknowledged it was a ‘remarkable occasion’ for the tourists.

“In South Africa, it was the same scenario,” he said of his team’s showing a year ago in Durban.

“We lost against South Africa in the first Test and came back strongly and we did well and won against South Africa in that Boxing Day Test match.

“That was a remarkable one because that’s the only Test we have won against South Africa on their soil.”

Sri Lanka have yet to win in Australia in 11 Tests.

They play in Melbourne from 26 December ahead of the final Sydney Test on 3 January.