Murali Claims 800 as http://www.senore.com/Cricket/Sri-Lanka-c758 Win
After making millions around the world wait for more than there hours, Sri Lanka’s champion all-rounder Muttiah Muralitheran captured his 800th test wicket managing to extract the outside edge of Ojha’s bat and Mahela Jayawardene did the rest to nestle his 77th catch of Murali in a test match, drawing curtains to arguably the greatest ever bowler in test history.
There was drama and more drama that unfolded at the Galle International stadium as the Indian tai-enders struck around with http://www.senore.com/Cricket/VVS-Laxman-c2772 as anticipation grew more and more for the 800th scalp and Sri Lanka’s win.
The first one to stick it out with Laxman was Mithun who made 29 runs which included four boundaries off Muralitheran; he made his runs of 59 balls.
The two added 49 runs for the eighth wicket taking the Indians past the hosts total.
By going past the total the tourists ensured that the crowd waits more creating a buzz of uncertainty and excitement at the venue.
There was more agony in store for the Muralitheran clan and thousands of spectators who had converged to the ground to see a very special moment in test history, http://www.senore.com/Cricket/Ishant-Sharma-c64566 joined hands with VVS Laxman and the lanky pace man was in top gear defending stoutly, and the tail-ender hardly looked perturbed against the off-spinner despite a number of close-in fielders looking to catch him off-guard.
The partnership carried on for more than an hour and was finally dismantled when VVS Laxman was run out after scoring a patient 69.
There was plenty of excitement around the ground after the departure of Laxman as Murali has only one wicket left to target and just like a true fairy tale ending the magician from Kandy finally broke through getting rid of Ojha courtesy the 77th catch for Jayawardene off the champion bowler.
There were wild celebrations as the Sri Lankan bowlers ran in from all directions and converged onto the champion who was all joy, wearing that special smile that gave him the nickname of “The Smiling Assassin”, many years ago when he had started bamboozling the opposition with his one five wicket haul after another.
After the celebrations muted for a short time, Sri Lankan openers Paranavitana and Tillekaratne Dilshan went about their task of chasing down the 95 run target that was set by the Indians.
The openers flayed the Indian attack scoring runs at ease, at a phenomenal rate of more than six runs per over.
Dilshan was at his blistering best scoring runs, the right hander scored 68 runs off only 70 balls to knock the stuffing out of the Indian bowling attack.
Lasith Malinga was named man of the match for his haul of seven wickets in the match, yet the test would always be remembered for his magical performance and endurance after being denied the last wicket for nearly three hours.
Muralitheran ended his career with a staggering 800 wickets in 133 test matches, the legend claimed 22 ten wicket hauls and an unbelievable 67 five wicket hauls in a career that lasted a shade under 18 years.
Let us salute a champion that was a legend on the field and carried himself brilliantly off the field too, test cricket is going to be poorer in his absence.
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