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Muralitharan, Bradman named best ever by Wisden

LONDON, Friday (Reuters) Sri Lankan off-spinner Muttiah Muralitharan and Australia's Don Bradman have been named as the best ever test bowler and batsmen by Wisden, according to a newspaper report on Friday.

Wisden, which describes itself as the bible of cricket, analysed the performance of every player and assessed it against factors like the strength of opposition, career length and importance of each performance to the outcome of an innings or match.

While Bradman's ranking as the world's best batsman was not in doubt, Muralitharan's selection as the best bowler could create controversy the Times newspaper reported on Friday.

The Sri Lankan beat out the likes of New Zealand's Richard Hadlee (second), Australia's Shane Warne (fourth) and the world record holder for test wickets, Courtney Walsh of West Indies (10th).

"The sight of Muttiah Muralitharan leading the bowlers will offend some as much as it delights other," the Times said.

"No other player has polarised opinion in the same way as Murali. He has won acclaim for overcoming a double handicap in his right arm and persistent carping about his action...to take 400 wickets."

"(But) the best way of summarising Wisden's intent is to identify the players who have been of most value to their sides.

"Muralitharan and Hadlee did more than anybody to bring credibility to Sri Lanka and New Zealand respectively."

Batsmen: 1.Don Bradman (Australia), 2. Sachin Tendulkar (India), 3. Vivian Richards (West Indies) 4. Garry Sobers (West Indies), 5. Alan Border (Australia), 6. Jack Hobbs (England), 7. Ken Barrington (England), 8. Sunil Gavaskar (India), 9. Greg Chappell (Australia), 10. Brian Lara (West Indies)

Bowlers: 1. Muttiah Muralitharan (Sri Lanka), 2. Richard Hadlee (New Zealand), 3. Sydney Barnes (England), 4. Shane Warne (Australia), 5. Clarrie Grimmett (Australia), 6. Glenn McGrath (Australia), 7. Dennis Lillee (Australia), 8. Malcolm Marshall (West Indies) , 9. Imran Khan (Pakistan), 10. Courtney Walsh (West Indies).

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