Muralitharan boost for cricket in Malaysia
Muttiah Muralitharan, the Sri Lankan former test cricketer and World
Record holder for most Test and One Day International dismissals, was in
Kuala Lumpur recently. As part of his trip he visited the Kuala Lumpur
Cricket Association’s annual prize-giving celebration.
‘Murali’, as he is commonly known, made the evenings of more than a
dozen aspiring cricketers, sharing a joke and offering advice to improve
their game in Sid’s Restaurant, Bangsar South.
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KLCA President Suresh Menon handing over to Banerji Nair from
Royal Selangor Club cricket section a framed collage of Murali’s
memorable 800 wicket feat of his Final Test. Witnessed by
Devindran Ramanathan, Vice President, Malaysian Cricket and
legendary Muralitharan |
Sri Lankan legends Muralitharan and Bandula Warnapurawith the
victorious KL under-15 players |
Murali’s visit was not planned but, having visited the KLCA’s
International Youth Cricket Carnival at the Royal Selangor Club’s Bukit
Kiara Sports Annexe in 2008, he was thrilled to be allowed to join in
the festivities and support cricket development in Malaysia. “It was a
wonderful surprise,” said Devindran Ramanathan, Organizing Chairman of
the KAF International Youth Cricket Carnival and Secretary of KLCA.
“Murali called me on Saturday morning to say hi and so we invited him
to the prize-giving to surprise the youngsters and guest. The look on
the kids’ faces when he walked in was amazing!” Muttiah Muralitharan,
38, has taken more Test wickets than any other cricketer, registering
his 800th and final scalp with the last ball of his last Test match on
July 22 earlier this year. He also holds the record for most One Day
International wickets of 515.
He has hinted that he will retire from the shorter form of the game
after the 2011 World Cup. Muralitharan was joined at the prize-giving by
Bandula Warnapura, Development Manager of the Asian Cricket Council,
based here in Kuala Lumpur.
Warnapura was Sri Lanka s first ever Test Captain. To have such
revered champions on hand can only have inspired the youngsters of the
Kuala Lumpur Cricket.
According to KLCA President Suresh Menon, “the prize-giving
celebrated the end of another successful season for Kuala Lumpur Cricket
Association’s Under-15 (Junior) and Premier League (Senior) sides. “As
the year draws to a close, we wanted to celebrate our achievements in
2010”. The night also served as an opportunity to wish the boys well
before they fly out to Sri Lanka on a forthcoming tour. |
