Murali to retire after Galle Test

The World’s leading wicket-taker and champion spinner Muttiah Muralitharan has decided to retire from test cricket after the first Test match against India which begins on July 18 at the Galle International Stadium.

Muralitharan has had discussions with the National Selectors, Sri Lanka Cricket officials and also had the blessings of President Mahinda Rajapaksa and the Minister of Sports, C. B. Ratnayake. Muralitharan the Wisden Cricketer of the Year in 1999 will go into his last Test match with a tally of 792 wickets from 132 matches at an average of 22.71.

He had career best figures of 9 wickets for 51 against England and finished with a match haul of 16 wickets for 220.

Muralitharan who made his Test debut against Australia in August 1992 at the R. Premadasa Stadium is the only cricketer to take 500 wickets in both Tests and One Day Internationals.

Muralitharan has captured the most number of 10-wicket hauls in Test cricket (18 matches) and also has the most 5-wicket hauls in an innings at Test level.

In addition Muralitharan is the first and only player to claim 50 or more wickets against every Test playing nation. He has taken 10 wickets in an innings against the most number of countries.

Muralitharan is one of the few bowlers in the world to reach 1,000 first class wickets and is the only player to take 10 wickets in a Test match in four consecutive matches twice.

He also reached the 350, 400, 450, 500, 550, 600 and 650 wickets in the fewest number of matches played and has the most Test victims clean bowled.