Mahela Jayawardena heaps praise on Sri Lanka star Prabath Jayasuriya

Sri Lankan cricket has always been blessed with spinners who have made a mark for themselves in international cricket.

Prabath Jayasuriya has 29 wickets in 3 Tests

Since the retirement of Rangana Herath, Sri Lanka have tried and tested several spinners — Lasith Embuldeniya, Praveen Jayawickrama, Dunith Wellalage, and Prabath Jayasuriya — who will be aiming to take the country's rich legacy forward. 

Jayawardena hopeful of Jayasuriya doing well 

"He can get better because he is a natural bowler, he has played a lot of cricket, understands the game. Having seen him closely at SSC, where he plays his domestic cricket, he’s got a very good action, good rotation and he is very accurate.

"So even away from home, if he can control that length and line, with his height as well he will get bounce. So I’m pretty sure that he will do well for Sri Lanka going forward."

Prabath Jayasuriya's impact

Jayasuriya made his presence felt across the cricketing world when he bamboozled the visiting Australia and Pakistan batters in Sri Lanka's last two Test series, snapping 29 wickets in three games, including four five-wicket hauls.

Having been awarded the ICC Men's Player of the Month for July, he became the first spinner since Herath and Muttiah Muralitharan to take 12 or more wickets in a Test for the Emerald Nation.

Jayawardena on Jayasuriya's efforts

​"He has been around for a while. He’s been playing a lot of first-class cricket, had a lot of experience under his belt, he just hasn’t had the opportunity. Obviously, Rangana Herath has been dominating for a decade or so. And after that, Sri Lanka did go in different routes, with a couple of young guys.

"[Lasith] Embuldeniya, on his debut as well did really, really well in that first few series. And Praveen Jayawickrama as well. So, he had to wait for his opportunity. Last few years, he has been really consistent, Prabath, and the selectors have put a lot of faith in him and he has delivered." 

Also Read: Babar Azam could dethrone Joe Root, says Mahela Jayawardena