Murali cheered all the way

Chris DHAMBARAGE reporting from Galle

Sri Lanka’s legendary off spinner Muttiah Muralitharan playing in his farewell test match came into bat to a rousing welcome on the third day of the opening test match against India at the Galle International Stadium yesterday.

Muralitharan walked into bat shortly before tea at the fall of the eighth wicket amidst fireworks from the background and with the Indian cricketers and the two umpires Darrel Harper and R. J. Tucker forming a guard of honour.

The right hander remained unbeaten on five having occupied the crease for just under ten minutes as Sri Lanka declared their first innings at a mammoth 520 for 8. Muralitharan then led the Sri Lankan team to the field after tea with congratulations from his teammates.

The champion off spinner of course did not get to bowl until the 16th over of the innings where he was called in to perform duties as the fifth change bowler with the Indian total on 74 for 2.

He then responded in his third over by capturing the key wicket of Sachin Tendulkar for 8 and went on to finish with figures of one wicket for 31 from seven overs.

Muralitharan now needs seven wickets to reach the magical 800 wicket mark.