HERATH BACKS LEACH: EXCLUSIVE INTERVIEW

ALTHOUGH Jack Leach spent his summer carrying drinks, the England bowler is being backed to be his side’s lethal weapon in Sri Lanka by the world’s greatest left-arm spinner. Rangana Herath, who took 433 Test victims, saw fellow off-spinner Leach’s ability first-hand in the 2018 series in Sri Lanka in which Leach snaffled 18 wickets. ‘He did very well in 2018,’ Herath (right) tells Sportsmail. ‘I always believe in consistency. Leach is always on the mark. If you bowl six balls, he won’t give any freebies — short balls or loose balls. ‘He has proved he can do it in subcontinental conditions, especially in Sri Lanka, so we need to be aware of him. If he can bowl with that consistency I’m sure he will play a big role in Galle.’ Herath retired after that first Test in 2018 but says he noticed a change of attitude in terms of how England took on spin. ‘The English players are now playing very well against spin,’ the 42-year-old says. ‘We lost that series 3-0. They played aggressive cricket — using their feet, reverse sweeping, making the bowlers get frustrated. ‘That’s the kind of tactical and mental approach that helped them. If you have that consistency that means you are on top. ‘If you want to change a bowler’s mindset, as a batsman you need to do something different.’ Though England triumphed three years ago, Herath is backing Sri Lanka to win this series even though they recently lost 2-0 in South Africa. ‘Unfortunately, we played the recent South Africa series after 10 months out because of Covid-19 — losing can happen, in the different conditions and with a few injuries as well,’ the 10th all-time Test wicket-taker says. ‘But I’m sure when it comes to the home games, and especially in Galle, that gives you confidence. ‘Sri Lanka have a good chance to win this series.’