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| Sunday, 16 November 2003 |
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Murali keen on other Lankan bowlers too take wickets, rather than concentrate on records by SRIAN OBEYESEKERE The world is before his feet but Sri Lankan super star, Muttiah Muralitharan, would rather shrug off stardom which beckons him despite acknowledging the fact that he would have reached the 600 milestone by the time he retires.
"I'm not thinking of records. In my career, I think I should finish with 600", a modest Muralitharan, who is 29 wickets away from West Indian Courtney Walsh's world record of 519 wickets and second to Australian Shane Warne's 491 told the 'Sunday Observer' on the eve of a home series against England which gets under way in the coming week. And the maestro who has mesmerised batsmen throughout the world, has every chance of getting closer to that milestone when he has a 'go' at the Englishmen. With his closest rival to that everest - Warne in hibernation serving a 1-year suspended drugs related ban, Muralitharan, would, as it is have things to his liking when Sri Lanka host England to a 3-match Test series, the first of which commences on December 2. The curtain-raiser to England's two month long tour will be the 3-match one-day series commencing on November 18. Neither was the 31-year old champion of champion bowlers, who commands centre stage perhaps even more than Warne for the magical gift of bewitching batsmen with the ball, willing to predict how much of an impact he would make with the ball against the English. " I cannot predict, but I'm determined to try hard and do my best to win matches for my country," said a modest Muralitharan, who though, was confident that Sri Lanka could get the better of the English given the home advantage. Muralitharan went on to shrug off sceptimism as to his form, telling critics that he never felt fitter in his career and was rearing to go. It was not that he was not taking enough wickets, but it was important that the other frontline bowlers too took wickets. As to the 'doosra' which former England fast bowler Darren Gough had courtesy BBC this week warned the England batsmen to look out for as Muralitharan's extra weapon, the wily Sri Lankan off Spinner said,"I don't know about a 'doosra'. I know of one going away". One of the game's most endearing figures for the humour and wit he carries to the field particularly when he takes guard with the bat, Muralitharan, who has been a cog in Sri Lanka's emergence in the international cricketing firmament as a force to be reckoned within the last decade or so, squashed rumours as to a match with a prospective Indian bride. Following are excerpts of the interview: (Q). On the eve of the home series against England it is pertinent to reflect on Darren Gough's cautioning their frontline batsmen against what he has described as a new invention by you - the 'doosra'. What about this new delivery ? (A). Don't know about a 'doosra'. I suppose the one going away. (Q). Gough refers to it as coming straight. Coming straight and going away? (A). Yeah, the one going away. Now it's coming in. (Q). Either way? (A). It comes in and can go away as well. (Q). How much of an impact you expect to make with the ball this time around against England ? (A). You never know. It all depends. On your day you might perform, but you cannot predict. I'm determined to try hard to help my country win matches. (Q). You think we can reverse fortunes this time by beating England? (A). Yeah, I'm confident that we can win. We have the home advantage. But to win we have to play really hard because England is a good side. It all depends on how you cope with the pressure. (Q). How would you view this series being John Dyson's first assignment as coach? (A). Dyson is new. He has to understand the players. Maybe it will take him a few months to find their weak points. |
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