Ready to give Murali grand farewell - Sanga

Weather could delay start:

By Chris DAMBARAGE

CRICKET: Bad weather is likely to delay the start of the first days play in the opening test match between Sri Lanka and India at the Galle International Stadium today.

The entire playing field was covered throughout yesterday as scattered showers delayed the ground staff from adding the finishing touches to this historic venue which will mark the retirement of spin wizard Muttiah Muralitharan.

The veteran off spinner will start his farewell Test match needing eight more wickets to reach the magical 800 wicket mark. In fact Sri Lanka will be hoping to give the champion off spinner a grand farewell by winning the opening Test match.

However Sri Lankan skipper Kumar Sangakkara said that they should not get carried away with emotions and hopes but the players will concentrate on the game.

As a team the best we can do for Murali is to make sure we don't get too overwhelmed or carried away with what's happening around but concentrate on really giving him a good farewell by playing a great match out here, Sangakkara told reporters ahead of the first Test.

The danger always is that you get distracted. The key is not to resist what's happening around you, but just to relax and enjoy it and not worry about so many things. You've got to understand it.

There is nothing that our team won't do for Murali. He's done so much for us this is just a little.

Sangakkara also welcomed the return of speed star Lasith Malinga who will be making his international comeback after a long layoff. The Sri Lankan captain stated that Malinga has worked so hard to get where he is now and it's a credit to him that he is out there fit and ready to play.

It gives us a huge plus factor and that's really important going into a Test match. He is a guy who can trouble any batsman in the world with his variation. We look forward to him to try and make an impact. If he doesn't just him being a part of our side gives a big boost.

Meanwhile ICC President Sharad Pawar also paid tribute to Sri Lanka spin bowler Muttiah Muralitharan, who will play his final Test match. Murali' will begin his final Test match on a record 792 Test wickets and Pawar said: 'I am sure there will be cricket lovers all over the world who will hope that Muttiah Muralitharan breaks the 800 Test wicket barrier.

'He has enjoyed a remarkably successful career and I am sure that while we will all be sad to see him leave the Test Match arena, the pinnacle of international cricket, that his achievements will inspire a new generation of young cricketers. In this format he has re-written the history book and created a mark that will be difficult to surpass. He is a true legend of our great sport.

'Murali, a modest man, has also been an excellent role model and great ambassador throughout his career" playing the game not only with great skill but also with great spirit.

'His record is truly astonishing for not only does he have 792 Test match wickets but he also has 512 wickets in One-Day International cricket. We are all thrilled that he will continue his one-day career until the end of the ICC Cricket World Cup 2011, to be held in India, Bangladesh and, of course, his home country Sri Lanka.'

Teams:

India: (probable) Gautam Gambhir, Virender Sehwag, Rahul Dravid, Sachin Tendulkar, VVS Laxman, Yuvraj Singh, MS Dhoni (capt and wk), Harbhajan Singh, Ishant Sharma, Pragyan Ojha, Abhimanyu Mithun/Munaf Patel.

Sri Lanka: (probable) Tharanga Paranavitana, Tillakaratne Dilshan, Kumar Sangakkara, Mahela Jayawardene, Thilan Samaraweera, Angelo Mathews, Prasanna Jayawardene, Rangana Herath, Muttiah Muralitharan, Lasith Malinga, Dammika Prasad, Chanaka Welegedara.