Wednesday July 7, 2010
The world’s leading wicket taker and one of the finest exponents of spin bowling, Sri Lankan spin wizard Muttiah Muralitharan, bringing an end to a glittering career spanning 18 years, Tuesday announced his retirement from International Test cricket. Beginning 18th July, the first Test against India in Galle, will be the last game for the 38-years-old Muralitharan, who has taken 515 wickets in 337 ODIs and 792 wickets in 132 tests.
After the first match of the three-Test series Murali will no longer play, however he had kept the option open of playing the 2011 ODE World Cup which will be jointly hosted by Bangladesh, India and Sri Lanka. A statement by Sri Lanka Cricket said, “World’s leading wicket-taker and champions spinner Muttiah Muralitharan has decided to retire from Test cricket after the first Test in Galle against India.” The statement further added, “Muralitharan has discussion with the national selectors, Sri Lankan Cricket official and has had blessing his Excellency Sri Lankan President Mahinda Rajapakse and the Minister of Sports C B Ratnayke”. The off-spinner, one of the most talked about player in contemporary cricket, which was called for throwing by a few umpires during his illustrious career.
In the history of the game Muralitharan is one of the most successful bowlers but controversies, always surrounded him. The cricketer made his debut against Australia in 1992 and his bowling action came into under scanner by umpire Darrel Hair as his action created the optical illusion of throwing. Although he was subjected to various tests in England and Perth but finally he was cleared. Murali overtook Shane Warne record of 708 scalps in 2007 and in 2009 he overtook the record of Wasim Akram’s 502 wickets.
