Murali quietly walks into the sunset
Source: Agencies |
April 4, 2011, Monday
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Print Edition
Print Edition
MUTTIAH Muralitharan raised his left arm, acknowledged the applause and vanished behind the dressing room door at Wankhede Stadium, quietly ending a fascinating international career on Saturday.
The wily Sri Lankan off-spinner defied a hamstring injury and a knee problem to walk out for the World Cup final against India, hoping to be a member of two World Cup winning Sri Lankan squads but that was not to be.
The eight overs he sent down, mixing off-spinners with his unique 'doosras' could not make much of a difference against Mahendra Singh Dhoni's men and he retreated into the background.
A wide grin illuminated his face as he went up to collect his runners-up medal but even the smile could barely hide his disappointment.
That same affability masked the guile with which he earned a record 800 test and 534 one-day scalps. On Saturday he was the only person on the field who already owned a World Cup title as he was a member of the team that triumphed in 1996.
Reports suggest that Muralitharan will play for Wellington province in New Zealand's domestic cricket competition. The Herald on Sunday reported that the 39-year-old has promised former New Zealand captain Stephen Fleming to play two seasons in Wellington.
The wily Sri Lankan off-spinner defied a hamstring injury and a knee problem to walk out for the World Cup final against India, hoping to be a member of two World Cup winning Sri Lankan squads but that was not to be.
The eight overs he sent down, mixing off-spinners with his unique 'doosras' could not make much of a difference against Mahendra Singh Dhoni's men and he retreated into the background.
A wide grin illuminated his face as he went up to collect his runners-up medal but even the smile could barely hide his disappointment.
That same affability masked the guile with which he earned a record 800 test and 534 one-day scalps. On Saturday he was the only person on the field who already owned a World Cup title as he was a member of the team that triumphed in 1996.
Reports suggest that Muralitharan will play for Wellington province in New Zealand's domestic cricket competition. The Herald on Sunday reported that the 39-year-old has promised former New Zealand captain Stephen Fleming to play two seasons in Wellington.
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