When Muttiah Muralithiran took his 800th test wicket this morning, with his final ever test ball, it was obvious what would be said. Something like this: a savage wicket-taker with a controversial action that split many cricket fans, players and administrators. As someone who calls himself a spin bowler I think the past 15 years of test cricket have been incredible, this benign, intrepid but utterly destructable Sri Lankan has turned the ball unimaginably and taken more wickets than anyone can fathom. All with a smile on his face.
I remember reading Nasser Hussain's response to facing Murali, he said that after facing a few overs he wouldn't even bother looking at his wrist or the spin on the ball because he still would have had no idea how much the ball would turn once it had pitched. It may explain why we have seen him destroy England a few too many times. Murali is a true great of the game, a native Tamil, he won the hearts of Sri Lankans, Lancastrians and ultimately the global audience.
It was truly a pleasure to see a master at work and see such a wonderful art in the hand of its most creative protagonists.
I remember reading Nasser Hussain's response to facing Murali, he said that after facing a few overs he wouldn't even bother looking at his wrist or the spin on the ball because he still would have had no idea how much the ball would turn once it had pitched. It may explain why we have seen him destroy England a few too many times. Murali is a true great of the game, a native Tamil, he won the hearts of Sri Lankans, Lancastrians and ultimately the global audience.
It was truly a pleasure to see a master at work and see such a wonderful art in the hand of its most creative protagonists.
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