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by Ranjan Anandappa

Tamil Union Cricket & Athletic Club will felicitate one of their great cricketing sons Muttiah Muralitharan on his remarkable bowling feat of capturing 1000 international wickets in both versions of the game (ODI & Test) on April 8 from 7.30 pm onwards at the club house.

The club, since 1940, has been synonymous with cricket and has produced great cricketers, and one such great is Mahadeva Sathasivam. If Sathasivam is classed as one of the most fascinating batsmen not only in Sri Lanka, but globally, Muralitharan is the bowler who could fit into the same category as his bowling counterpart.

Muralitharan has achieved the unique feat of taking 1000 international Test and One day wickets, a feat that could be very difficult to surpass. He has captured over 60 Test wickets. In addition he has taken 5 wickets in an innings on 50 occasions, and 50 wickets against every Test playing nation. The only player who could get close to "Murali's" exploits is Australia's Shane Warne, but whether he could surpass this feat is anybody's guess.

A large and distinguished gathering is expected at this occasion and the president of the club Selva Perumal is expected to unveil a 'life size" portrait of Muralitharan and a plaque to commemorate the event.

Janashakthi Insurance are the principal sponsors while United Parcel Service and Ceylon Cold Stores are co-sponsors. The dinner is catered by Taj Samudra.

At a press briefing held at the Tamil Union Board Room in connection with the event, its president Selva Perumal said that some may say that felicitation ceremonies have adverse effects on the individual, but in Muralitharan's case it has enhanced him to produce bigger achievements.

"The Tamil Union who's name has been synonymous with the nations cricket since 1940, has, in addition, the only international cricket venue for nearly four decades, which has produced truly great cricketers including the mercurial Sathasivam,the batting counterpart of Murali." said Selva Perumal.

He lamented that the Tamil Union has been receiving stepmotherly treatment despite their contribution towards the game.

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