With the world’s highest wicket taker, Muttiah Muralitharan set to play his last Test match commencing July 18 at the Galle International Stadium, praise and accolades are being showered on the Sri Lanka vice-captain, who will end his international career that spanned almost two decades.
Having worn the Sri Lankan cap for the first time on Sri Lanka’s tour of England in 1991, Muralitharan made his Test debut the following year against Australia. Although his initial years were steady, his 16 wicket haul at the London Oval in 1998 helped Sri Lanka beat England in England for the first time and from that moment onwards the reputation of the bowler reached great heights.
‘The Island’ spoke to several former Sri Lankan Test captains on Muralitharan’s impact on world cricket and they came up with some interesting observations. Here are the excerpts.
Arjuna Ranatunga
(Test captain 1989-1991, 1992-1999)
The first thing and the thing that I like very much about Murali is that he’s a very humble chap. Needless to say that what happened in Australia in 1995 completely changed him. Many people would have got shaken up at what happened, but he didn’t. He wanted to try out various things and was going through real agony to prove that he was innocent. I must mention here that no matter what the entire world said, the entire team supported Murali, wholeheartedly.
It would have been a tough call for him to retire. But I am glad that he’s going at a time when everyone’s asking why and not when. I am also glad that he didn’t go behind politicians to extend his career. He’s going on his terms with his head held high and I would like to wish him all the very best. The only grumble that I have against him is that he didn’t go on to take 1000 Test wickets. Only he could have achieved something of that nature.
Aravinda de Silva
(Test captain 1991)
Murali is the sort of the chap who’s first to come for practice and the last to leave. He’s a fine cricketer, but more than that, a superb person.
I remember the first time he made an impression was in New Zealand in 1995 when we won in Napier. Chaminda Vaas had given us a good platform and when we came for the lunch break, most guys were annoyed at the way Murali was bowling. But we didn’t shout at him. The senior players had a chat and we knew that he was going to win the game for us. So instead of shouting, we made him understand that he was the only match winner we had. Then after the break, he bowled so well and we went on to win our first Test away from home. That’s my first remembrance of Murali, having an impact on a game.
Duleep Mendis
(Test captain 1983-1987)
Murali has done a great service to Sri Lankan cricket over the years and I wonder whether his feats will be ever matched. I have been his manager on several cricket tours and I am yet to see an active person like him. He will be full of suggestions on any cricket related matter. He turned us into a successful team.
Sanath Jayasuriya
(Test captain 1999-2003)
No one prepared for a game as much as Murali did. His focus was amazing. He just lived cricket. There was no switching off for him. Our careers were simultaneous and I have enjoyed his company. You hardly feel bored when Murali is around and I am sure everyone is going to miss him. He will take newcomers of the team
for dinner; he will play cards with them and crack jokes and will always make sure that everyone was happy. He is the livewire of the team. If I have a good record as captain, Murali is one reason for that as I captained the team when Murali was at his peak. I will also never forget the Test match at the Oval, where he got 16 wickets in the same Test match I scored a double hundred.
Hashan Tillekeratne
(Test captain 2003-2004)
We should be thankful to him, as I feel that it is because of him our careers were extended. He didn’t carry our bowling attack, but he was our bowling attack. Murali took a lot of burdens off us. He was the complete team player who was willing to do more than what was required of him.
In Test matches, I used to field close to the batsman when he was bowling and without any fear I could field in those close positions because I knew that he was 100% accurate. There was never a short ball by Murali.
Kumar Sangakkara
(Test captain 2009 to ----)
We were in Brisbane, where we were playing Australia a few years back; Murali chased the ball to the boundary line and strained his groin. The crowd at that section mocked Murali. I think they were happy that Murali was injured which meant that he couldn’t bowl to their batsmen. Murali came back to the crease and all he said was "give me the ball". We asked, why, you are injured. You should go off the field. Murali just said "give me the ball I have two more overs to bowl." He bowled off one foot standing in one place and got Shane Watson out caught at short leg. He bowled those two overs for five or six runs. That is to me an example of grit and determination.
This is not a retirement. The best of him is yet to come. I expect him to come back in whatever way. With his immense knowledge, he will be great for Sri Lankan cricket, whether it is as a coach, selector or even if it means to just have a chat in the dressing room.
Source: The Island Online
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