'MURALI, the greatest among the great'

CRICKET: It is time to have a closer look at the wonderful game of cricket with only six days to go for the grand opening of the ICC World Cup 2011. Veteran sports journalist Sampath Bandara has turned out to be an excellent timer, not of the ball but through his pen in releasing his latest book on the greatest bowler ever produced in international cricket - Muttiah Muralitharan.

'MURALI, the Greatest among the great', the latest book written by Bandara on the spin wizard, was released at a simple ceremony held at a leading hotel in Colombo last week. The foreword for the book has been written by former Sri Lanka Test opener and ex-ICC Match Referee Sidath Wettimuny, the first centurion for Sri Lanka in Test cricket.

"I have rarely come across an individual as successful as Murali who ensured that his parents were looked after before he considered his own future and family.

His generosity, unvaried love and concern for his parents, brothers, wife and son have been a hallmark of his character," Wettimuny says in his foreword for the 100-page book which is truly a collectors' item.

The book contains every memorable moment of the world's highest Test wicket taker from his childhood days, with rare photographs, some of which have never been published before.

Every milestone, achievement and records that Muralitharan has reached and shattered from the day he made his Test and One Day International debuts to the crowning glory of capturing 800 Test wickets is detailed in the volume.

The author, who has been a sports journalist for over 18 years at the Daily News, Dinamina and Kreeda, uncovers all the controversial and extraordinary incidents of Muralitharan's legendary cricketing career with over 50 glossy colour images.

Bandara has done justice to Murali by compiling a complete biography of the celebrated cricketer.

Bandara's wide experience as a sports writer in Sri Lanka's leading English and Sinhala daily national newspapers has helped him to dish out an excellent treat for the cricket lovers, especially to millions of Murali's fans.

This is Bandara's fifth book on sports, which includes two other books on the wonderful game of cricket. He has vast experience as a sports journalist, covering many Tests and ODIs with the Sri Lanka team, both here and abroad.

He has made a creditable effort to give all milestone achievements of the celebrated cricketer, including all statistics of Murali's Test and ODI career and record feats.