England face the daunting prospect of playing out spin wizard Muttiah Muralitharan on the final day Thursday to draw the second Test and keep the three-match series alive. The tourists, trailing Sri Lanka by 197 runs on the first innings, ended the fourth day's play on a wearing Sinhalese Sports Club (SSC) pitch at 48-0 in their second knock on Wednesday.
Alastair Cook was unbeaten on 19 and captain Michael Vaughan was on 28 when play was abandoned for the day 16 overs early due to bad light. England, who lost the first Test by 88 runs in Kandy last week, must bat out the last day's play to have a chance of forcing a series-levelling win in the final Test at Galle from next Tuesday. Sri Lanka have won 10 of their last 12 Tests at the SSC with Muralitharan, Test cricket's leading bowler, being the wrecker-in-chief on most occasions.
Showing posts with label Muttiah Muralitharan. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Muttiah Muralitharan. Show all posts
Thursday, December 13, 2007
Monday, December 3, 2007
Murali's Test wicket record will stand forever, says Warne
Shane Warne has congratulated Muttiah Muralitharan on reclaiming the world record for most Test wickets, declaring on Monday that the mark will stand forever. Muralitharan claimed his 709th wicket in Sri Lanka's first Test against England in Kandy on Monday to become Test cricket's most successful bowler. The off-spinner, playing his 116th Test, bowled Paul Collingwood to grab his fifth wicket in the innings and surpass retired Australian leg-spinner Warne's world record tally of 708 wickets in 145 matches.
"I congratulate Murali for breaking the record I had," Warne said Monday. "I knew I would only have it for a short time. Murali has said he wanted to take 1000 Test wickets and he has every chance of getting there. "If he does I don't think anyone else will catch him." Muralitharan's career has been blighted by concerns over the legitimacy of his action but Warne refused to denigrate the achievement.
"Despite what people say he'll be remembered as one of the game's great bowlers," Warne said. "He's an excellent competitor and has been great for Sri Lankan cricket. He's a great bloke too. I've been to Sri Lanka to help him after the (December 2004) tsunami and we now even have a trophy named after the two of us. I'd just like to say 'well done on the record'." Tom Moody, who coached Sri Lanka for two years before departing after the World Cup in April to take charge at Western Australia, believes Muralitharan could reach 1000 Test wickets.
"If his body holds together and he's still got the burning desire to achieve those personal milestones, he's going to do it, simple as that," Moody said. "Obviously, there are a lot of obstacles, particularly physically when you're getting older, but if he manages to stay on the park, there's enough cricket around for him to do it because he takes wicket at such a fast rate."
"I congratulate Murali for breaking the record I had," Warne said Monday. "I knew I would only have it for a short time. Murali has said he wanted to take 1000 Test wickets and he has every chance of getting there. "If he does I don't think anyone else will catch him." Muralitharan's career has been blighted by concerns over the legitimacy of his action but Warne refused to denigrate the achievement.
"Despite what people say he'll be remembered as one of the game's great bowlers," Warne said. "He's an excellent competitor and has been great for Sri Lankan cricket. He's a great bloke too. I've been to Sri Lanka to help him after the (December 2004) tsunami and we now even have a trophy named after the two of us. I'd just like to say 'well done on the record'." Tom Moody, who coached Sri Lanka for two years before departing after the World Cup in April to take charge at Western Australia, believes Muralitharan could reach 1000 Test wickets.
"If his body holds together and he's still got the burning desire to achieve those personal milestones, he's going to do it, simple as that," Moody said. "Obviously, there are a lot of obstacles, particularly physically when you're getting older, but if he manages to stay on the park, there's enough cricket around for him to do it because he takes wicket at such a fast rate."
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