Scalping right-hand batsman Joe Root on Day 1 of the ongoing Test at Galle, left-arm spinner Rangana Herath joined history books as he became only the second bowler behind the great Muttiah Muralitharan to have claimed 100 Test wickets at the historic and picturesque ground in the island nation. 

The wicket was also Herath's 431st overall in Test Cricket, and he levelled with former New Zealand fast bowling all-rounder and legend Richard Hadlee. Herath needs four more to further climb up the ladder in the all-time wicket taker’s list.

Making his debut in 1999, Herath, who is the only active player in the world to have started in the previous century, only cemented his place in Sri Lanka's Test side when Murali retired in the year 2010 but since then, he has been a lone-warrior of island nation's bowling attacks. 

The 40-year-old, having fought extended battles with injuries, is, perhaps, quite fittingly retiring at the beautiful venue, as the life comes full circle for him at a ground where he first played for his country against Australia. 

(Inputs from Indian Express)