Murali the World’s invincible KING OF SPIN

Tony Greig was excellent as Master of Ceremonies:

This was the moment when if the imposing ramparts could have spoken, they would have conveyed the earth shattering tremors that radiated through them.

It was the moment when the surrounding sea breeze picked up the shattering sound waves as the cheers erupted, and conveyed them far and wide and with lightening speed through the airways.

Red carpet for Muttiah Muralitheran

It was also the moment when the passing clouds beckoned the unfolding drama and showered a sprinkling of holy water in the form of tears of joy.

And so, journalistic license will allow me to say that the heavens and the earth were witness and party to that glorious moment.

For how else could I, having covered cricket for over four decades and more, chronicle this ‘never-seen-in our-life-time’ moment that was delivered by Muthiah Muralitheran. It was as emotional, as it was historic.

When he broke Shane Warne’s record I had occasion to refer to Murali as the World’s King Of Spin. Since that coronation he has worn the crown lightly, as is typical of this man who displays exceptional humility. But with his heady performance in reaching the 800 wicket mark that no single cricketer on earth ever has reached in Test Cricket, suffice it is for me to say that this King is invincible in generations to come.

No surprise then from this call: ‘A monument in commemoration of his stupendous feat will be the best reward’, said Chairman of Sri Lanka Cricket D.Somachandra de Silva who was seated next to me in the Chairman’s Box the moment Muttiah Muralitheran captured his 800th wicket.

For the record, Murli took the wicket of Indian last man Prajan Oja brilliantly. And equally brilliant was former skipper of Sri Lanka Mahela Jayawardena who at first slip, held the catch which made Muralitheran the first bowler to take 800 Test scalps.

‘This dream achievement will never be equalled or surpassed, certainly not in this millennium.

It was certainly a super human effort. It will only remain a dream of every other bowler. But not achievable,’ said Bertrem Jayasuriya, in whose company I made it to Galle to witness the historic moment. Bertrem captured the sentiments of Sri Lanka’s cricket fans so aptly.

Keen cricket fan

Jayasuriya who is a keen cricket fan and an ardent supporter of Muralitheran is the one who sometime back produced the “catch it” fielding machine that proved popular in schools, clubs and even the national team benefitted from it.

Then there was Tournament Director, World Cup 2010 Suraj Dandeniya chipping in to say that Muralitheran should be declared a ‘national treasure’.

Whether it will be a fitting monument or being given national honours is left to be seen.

It will be a test as of the gratitude we owe this man for putting us, again, on the world’s cricketing map.

Inspired by the days events, and to honour, as it were, the bowler’s great achievement, opening batsmen Tillekeratne Dilshan 68 and Tharanga Paranavitana 28 blasted the Indian attack to seal victory by 10 wickets and give Sri Lanka the all important lead in the first of three Test matches.

When the Indians lost two early wickets on the final day, one to Malinga and the next to Muralitheran it looked as though the game would end before lunch.

The sports loving and promoting President Mahinda Rajapaksa wanted to be a party to that record-breaking event. So he flew in to savour that moment.

Picture of fitness

The President was clearly and visibly energised by the prospect and the promise that would present itself on the grounds. The whole town of Galle was agog and the stadium had that ethereal feeling that obviously and took in.

He was all smiles and looked a picture of fitness, as he took his seat amongst D.S.de Silva, C.B. Ratnayake, Minister of Sports, Minister Wimal Weerawansa and MP and Southern Provincial Cricket Association President Piyasena Gamage. All waiting expectantly for that special piece of history to happen.

But much as Muralitheran tried to make it happen before lunch, it was not to be. Indian batsmen Laxman and Sharma stonewalled and hung on grimly to lunch.

With more onerous duties to attend to the President made the presentations, blessed the great bowler and left before play resumed after lunch, with the promise that he will nonetheless be with Murali in spirit, and will be tuned in.

Even after lunch the batsmen dug in doggedly and though the Indians lost wickets, Muralitheran kept pegging on, bowling his full repertoire of deliveries and at times even improvising, but without luck and success.

Bite and turn

It looked as though wicket 800 would evade him. And then he got a delivery to bite and turn and the ball that rocketed off the bat of Oja. Jayawardena brilliantly held it. And then all hell broke loose!

His teammates rushed to him and as he did the jig of joy, he was overpowered by his mates who kissed and hugged him. They lifted him to the cricketing world. And firecrackers that sounded like thunder claps shook even the ramparts and smoke bombs in various colours had him lost for a while.

Throughout the Test match, the Galle Town was decked with Muralitheran cut outs in various poses and the Town resembled a carnival. The man behind all this was that man for all seasons Jayananda Warnaweera and SPCA President Gamage and a band of hard working men who gave the bowler a moment meant for Royalty.

Ajit Jayasekera, the Associate Chief Executive of Sri Lanka Cricket rightly summed up the memorable proceedings by saying that it was the ‘Warnaweera show’. It could not be better described.

Leading curator

Warnaweera a former team mate of Muralitheran and now a leading curator who prepared the wicket for this memorable occasion was beaming with smiles. It was the wicket that he prepared that enabled Muralitheran to rewrite the record books and gave Sri Lanka that all important victory. Warnaweera also presented the bowler with a caparisoned gold plated ornamental elephant.

Talking to chairman of Selectors and former batting dynamo Aravinda de Silva I inquired from him as to why efforts were not made to ask Murali to play the three Tests and then quit. Here is Aravinda’s response:

“I spoke to him and wanted him to finish this series before he announced his retirement. But he was quite candid and told me that his legs would not take him through the series and that it was after very careful thought that he decided to play one more Test and then quit”.

Ungrudging

Muralitheran who has ungrudgingly obliged his captains by bowling, bowling and bowling - at times 50 to 60 overs a Test - would certainly have weakened his legs and not wanting to be a passenger or suffer a sudden break down, did right in quitting.

His single-handed match winning efforts with the ball was god send to all his captains who savoured success. Some of his captains were mediocre. But he made them look brilliant with his exploits with the ball that gave them many a victory and helped prolong their captaincy stints.

From now on it will be life without Muralitheran for Sri Lanka. It will be interesting to watch their victory ratio in future Test cricket.

To think that there will be another bowler with Muralitheran’s god given ability would surely stretch one’s imagination beyond the supernatural.

Chief Executive of the ICC Haroon Lorgart who was a special guest on the occasion was profuse in his praise for the great bowler and in a few words tributed the bowler by saying:

Special day

“This is a special day. All the fans have stayed on right to the end. On behalf of the ICC and the Indian team, we wish Murali the very best. You have been a living legend and extremely special to all of us. Thanks Murali from all of us.”

Tony Greig, a lover of Sri Lanka and its cricket, was the Master of ceremonies at the end of the game prize distribution and his witticism made the presentation one to remember.

After singing the praises of the great bowler, he asked Murali..”It is said that in the early days when you got three wickets, you would ask skipper Arjuna Ranatunga to take you off, because if you kept going you would win the man of the match award.”

Stitches of laughter

What Greig was implying was that Muralitheran was shy to face the mike as he would be interviewed. That had the spectators in stitches of laughter.

Then when Greig spoke to man of the match Lasith Malinga, he told the bowler; “You seem to be bowling faster after shedding the colour in your hair.”

Greig, who is dearly loved by Sri Lankans, was greatly appreciated for making the special presentation show a memorable one.

Muralitheran thanked everyone from President Mahinda Rajapaksa to all who helped him surmount all hurdles in his colourful career, which was certainly not a bed of roses.

Fire crackers

And once the presentation was over fire crackers rent the air and so ended a career of a cricketer who gave joy to the game, broke the hearts of the batsmen who had to face his wiles and one whose likes would not be seen again for may generations to come, if not ever again.

And now on personal note. I have been on many tours with Muttiah Muralitheran and followed his every step very carefully. Like many cricketers of all shades and talents, I have been greatly impressed by Murali’s unmatched talents, but even more so by his unassuming simplicity and gentlemanly charm. All the best my friend. May the good Lord bless you for all what you have done for Sri Lanka and for the being the gracious gentleman and sportsman who you are.