Muralitharan - the great

Muttiah Muralitharan became the greatest bowler ever when he captured the wicket of Indian Prajan Ojha to pocket his 800th wicket during the First of Three Tests at the picturesque Galle International Cricket Stadium on Thursday in the presence of a wildly cheering and fire cracker lighting crowd.

When he captured that prized wicket of Ojha caught by his former skipper Mahela Jayawardena at first slip, Muralitharan did the jig of joy and his teammates rushed up to him and hugged, kissed and lifted him and what a poignant scene it was. Murali deserved every bit of the adulation considering that it was an achievement that would not be equalled or sur passed in this century.

It was a revelation watching Sri Lankan bowlers Rangana Herath and Lasith Malinga turning batsmen on the third day of the First Test against India at the Galle International Cricket Stadium.

Herath and Malinga are better known for their prowess with the ball. Herath a teasing left arm spinner and Malinga a fast bowler with a peculiar action. But taking strike, they showed that they could turn out into being solid allrounders, as proven by the competent manner in which they wielded the willow.

Joining hands when Sri Lanka were 7 down for 393, they got on top of the Indian bowling and enjoyed their batting by playing some strokes that were from the book. They put up a memorable stand of 105 which was a record for the eighth wicket.

Herath who now plays for Hampshire seems to have improved his batting by a quantum leap. He played straight, used his feet well and with sweet timing made his best score in Tests 80 not out with one six and 10 fours in 93 deliveries.

Other ideas

With Herath looking good to make his maiden Test three figure score, skipper Sangakkara would not have been faulted had he not declared, but allowed Herath make a century which is the dream of any batsman. But apparently Sangakkara had other ideas, as timing of the declaration was of the essence.

Malinga better renowned as the fast bowler with the record of four wickets in four balls in the previous World Cup enjoyed his stay at the wicket too, making a best Test score of 64 from 75 deliveries with two big sixes and nine fours. It is hoped that they will continue to take their batting too, seriously like their bowling which would be a bonus to the team and which will strengthen the tail end of the batting which will be of value and importance.

Sportsmanship

A real demonstration of sportsmanship was seen as the visiting Indian team gave a guard of honour to Muralitharan at the commencement of play. The cordiality, friendship and abiding admiration displayed by the Indians raised the bar for conduct on and off the field.

Words of wisdom from Imran Khan

Former Pakistan captain Imran Khan who led his country to win the 50-over World Cup tournament in 1992, spoke words of wisdom while giving the annual Cowdrey Lecture at Lord's on Monday.

Imran the flamboyant Pakistani captain was one of the finest all rounders produced by the country. He was a remarkable fast bowler. When batting, bowling or fielding he was all style and elegance. A treat to watch.

His run-up and jump before delivering vicious deliveries that swung either way, beat and teased the batsmen. He was devastating. And when he took strike he had all the strokes to pierce the field with feline grace.

Agile and safe

When fielding he was always agile and safe and in all three departments he was an example. Today there is no cricketer who could be found with the god given traits of Imran Khan-the dream all rounder.

Before going on to comment on the words of wisdom spoken by Imran at the Cowdrey Lecture, it will be of interest to the younger cricketing generation to recall the great Colin Cowdrey.

Colin Cowdrey made his debut for England under the captaincy of Sir Leonard Hutton in the 1950s and continued to play when Peter May captained, before taking over the captaincy himself and performing that job with great aplomb and success.

Quick of movement

Cowdrey although being on the bulky side, was quick of movement when batting or fielding, which was amazing. His was quick between the wickets when going for singles or chasing the ball and first slip which was his pet fielding position he was as safe as the Bank of England.

Cowdrey who also played for Kent is best remembered for the match saving and big partnership he forged with Peter May in saving England from the ignominy of an innings defeat against the West Indies when Sonny Ramadhin and Alf Valentine were threatening to slice through the batting.

Cowdrey is also remembered for his heroics when he came on to bat with his arm in plaster after taking an express pace delivery from either Charlie Griffith or Wesley Hall in a Test match in England that broke his arm. Although being on the bulky side he was grease lighting. And critics would wonder how such a bulky guy could move with lightening speed.

Commended

This reminds me, in our own local scene, of a reference made by Dinesh Weerawansa, in his Daily News column - SPORTSWATCH, where he justifiably commended the School Cricket selectors for picking, Ramith Rambukwella, son of Media Minister who is also on the bulky side, for the tour of England. Dinesh was spot on!

If pudgy Cowdrey could move with ease on the field, there is no reason why Ramith cannot do similarly. Rambukwella is fit as a fiddle as he showed in scoring over 1000 runs in the school cricket season. And his selection was deserved.

To get back to Imran and his Cowdrey lecture, the former Pakistan captain based his lecture on fast bowlers saying that they could go the way of dinosaurs if the international calendar retains its current congested schedule.

Eliminate 50-over cricket

Imran, an Oxford Blue, suggested eliminating 50-over cricket as a way of ensuring the 'unprecedented' stress on fast bowlers was eased. 'Maybe we should eliminate 50-over cricket and just have Twenty20 cricket and Test cricket.

'I don't believe Test cricket is the same standard as before. The stress on fast bowlers is incredible. But cricket without fast bowling is never going to be the same standard if a batsman doesn't test himself against fast bowling', said Imran. Cricket without fast bowlers would not be worth watching and playing. Fast bowlers are temperamental as they come and there is no better sight in the game than to see a tear away fast bowler running and delivering at express speed.

Great fast bowlers

Fast bowlers have always made the game interesting and exciting to watch. Names that come to mind of a bygone era are that of Harold Larwood, Ray Lindwall, Keith Miller, Freddie Trueman, Brian Statham, Peter Pollock, Frank Tyson, and Wesley Hall. Charlie Griffith, Michael Holding, Colin Croft, Joel Garner, Andy Roberts, Malcom Marshall and Curtley Ambrose to name a few.

These gallant men made the game interesting to watch. As they ran in to deliver there was that wonderment and excitement buzz among the spectators. There was an adrenaline rush and hearts would pound in the expectation that something dramatic would happen. Often batsmen fronting up took strike at their own peril. Some were jelly kneed. Others were subconsciously ready to duck the life threatening bouncer.

It is hoped that the words of wisdom spoken by that former Pakistan and world great fast bowling allrounder Imran Khan who also introduced the neutral umpires system would be taken seriously by the authorities who run the game today and discuss it.