Karunaratne banks on Herath success

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Batsman Dimuth Karunaratne has insisted spinner Rangana Herath will play an important role during the fourth innings of Sri Lanka's ongoing second and final Test match against England in Leeds.

Batsman Dimuth Karunaratne has insisted spinner Rangana Herath will play an important role during the fourth innings of Sri Lanka's ongoing second and final Test match against England in Leeds.

Herath went without a wicket in the hosts' first-innings total of 365 all out, with seamers Shaminda Eranga and Angelo Mathews instead sharing eight crucial breakthroughs.

The veteran slow bowler, however, is likely to benefit from conditions conducive to turn and occasionally unpredictable bounce come days four and five at Headingley.

"England batted really well in the first two sessions but we had a great comeback. We got them out for under 400 – and we have a chance to put then under pressure," said Karunaratne.

"England will bat in the fourth innings and our spinner, Herath, will come into the game. If we bat well in the second innings, we can put them under pressure and Rangana can do something.

"I think the wicket will turn in the coming days, because if you saw the lbw shout for Rangana, the projection showed it would turn quite a lot. When England bowl in the third innings, the rough will become more pronounced. Rangana's got a great chance."

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