Yesterday (14-Jul-2007), Muralitharan bagged his 700th Wicket, that of Syed Rasel (of Bangladesh) and became the second cricketer in history to reach the milestone. Shane Warne is leading in front with 708 wickets.
What's great about these 2 players is that, both are spin bowlers, who made the art of spin bowling to such higher levels. Earlier days of cricket, bowler means fast bowler. Spinners are only meant for bowling the slog overs. Now the scenario changed a lot. Even in one-day international matchesspinners are holding a key role to win the match.
One is a classic leg spinner while the other one is a wily off spinner. Both are hard workers and always experiment new variations. Both are masters of googly, flipper, staright balls, quicker ones. Its very difficult to predict their ball until the ball reaches the hands of the wicke keeper or it takes the bail or it will land in the hands of a fielder or abtsman's leg to be LBWed. Each single ball they bowl is a treat to watch. Even the most dangerous batsmen in the world will be watchfull against these bowlers.
But, both these players are the companions of controvery always. Shane Warne for his personal life and Muralitharan for his bowling action.
Muralitharan's bowling action had been a hot issue in cricketing arena. Umpires notified him of a chukker. The infamous Sri Lanka - Australia test match in 1995, where umpire Darryl Hair judged his bowling as no ball. But, the whole Sri Lankan team and their cricketing body stood behind him. And the ICC conducted lots of bio-medical tests on him. Finally it was revealed as, he is having some disablity in his right hand and he is not a chukker.
Also, the law of ICC regarding the chukking is changed as stating a bowler can bnd his arm upto 15 degrees. By that, Muralitharan came inside that limit and automatically his bowling action also became legal.
As Murali is taking more and more wickets, ICC will be under pressure.
Whatever may be the case, the fact is that, Murali is a great bowler and a true sports man and a good human being. He is cool guy, always smiling.
