Murali Joins Elite 700 Club

Sri Lanka’s Champion off Spinner, Muttiah Muralitharan yesterday joined the elite club of 700 Test Wickets by picking up Bangladeshi batsman Syed Rasel, as Sri Lanka completed a 3-0 sweep of the Test series at the Asgiriya Stadium in Kandy.

On Day 3, Captain Mahela Jayawardene together with Vice Captain, Kumar Sangakkara rebuilt the Sri Lankan innings after they had lost two wickets for 65. (Vandort -23, Tharanga-12). The skipper was quick in scoring, as he had already got to his half century by lunch, whereas Sangakkara at the other end was slow and patient at the start but attacked the Bangladeshi bowlers once he got in to rhythm.

Sri Lanka’s most prolific duo in Test Cricket added a massive 318 for the third wicket, with Jayawardene recording his 18th Test century (165) and Sangakkara contributing with another consecutive Double Hundred(222*). The pair also holds the record of the highest partnership for any wicket in Test or First-class cricket after their record breaking stand of 624 in the First Test against South Africa last year.

Sri Lankans declared at 500/4 and put Bangladesh in to bat at the very start of Day 4.

Lasith Malinga struck early removing Javed Omar for 22. But, Bangladeshis were well on course to drag the match to Day 5 at 106/2, when Murali was brought in to the take the wicket of Shariar Nafees, who was on 64. Then, paceman, Sujeewa De Silva tormented the Bangladeshis further by picking up two quick wickets ( Musfiqur Rahim-1, Rajin Saleh -0) in two of his successive overs.

Thereafter, the match was all Sri Lanka’s, as Murali took a further three wickets to not only complete a 3-0 sweep of the Laqshya Test Series, but, also to get to a wonderful milestone. By picking up his 700th Test Wicket at his home town in Kandy, among his dear parents Mother, Mrs. Lakshmi, Father, Mr. Muttiah; loving wife, Mrs. Madhimalar, relatives, team-mates and hundreds of fans, Murali became only the Second Bowler in Test Cricket History to reach this landmark. He is now only 8 wickets behind a memorable milestone, which is currently held by retired Shane Warne.

Bangladesh were all out for 176, as Sri Lanka wrapped up the third and Final Test of the Laqshya Test Series with an innings and 193-run victory.

Murali was adjudjed both, the Man-of-the-Match and the Man-of-the-Series for his consistent performance with the ball.

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Sri Lankan bowlers flatten Bangladesh

Sri Lankan seamers Lasith Malinga and Dilhara Fernando as well as the ace spinner Muttiah Muralitharan flattened the Bangladeshi lineup as they recorded their lowest ever test score(62), since being granted Test status in 2000. The previous lowest was 86, also against Sri Lanka in 2005.

Malinga lead the attack with a superb spell very early in the game, trapping Shahriar Nafees for leg before in his very first over. Midway between the 8th over, he had opener Javed Omar caught off Wicketkeeper, Prasanna Jayawardene. Soon after, former skipper, Habibul Bashar was caught off Mahela Jayawardene at slip. Two balls later, current skipper Mohamed Ashraful was removed for a duck, when the scoreboard read 22/4.

Dilhara joined the fun, picking up the wickets of both, debutant Mehrab Hossain jnr. and Mashrafe Mortaza.

It really was all over for the Bangladeshis when Murali was introduced in to the attack. Sri Lanka’s most successful spinner, took his 100th four-wicket hall as he ended up with figures of 4-14. The renowned Murali is now only 21 short of equaling the World Record currently held by retired Australian spinner, Shane Warne.

Sri Lanka, in reply got off to a good start with their first wicket, Michael Vandort falling at 41. Then, Malinda Warnapura and Kumar Sangakkara continued piling on runs. Warnapura, who was dismissed for a golden duck in the first ball of his debut at the SSC, in the first test last week, kept up to the faith, the selectors had bestowed upon him by making his maiden fifty in only the second Test Match of his career. The elegant left hander, who went on to make an unbeaten 79 at the end of Day 1, is the nephew of Sri Lanka’s first Test Captain, Bandula Warnapura.

Sangakkara got back in to form, by hitting his 23rd half century, just a couple of minutes before the end of the day.

Bad light and rain forced an early finish to Day 1, with Sri Lanka on a healthy total of 154/1.

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Sri Lanka record comprehensive victory against Bangladesh

Sri Lanka recorded an innings and 234-run comprehensive victory in their first test against the Bangladesh team yesterday, at the Sinhalese Sports Club Ground in Colombo.

The determination and resistance shown by the top-order Bangladeshi batsmen were all in vain, as the middle and lower order collapsed in no time. Finishing day 3 on 233/5, the Bangladesh team still had time to put up a good show, even if that meant defeat.

Having to end day 3 early because of bad light, the match started a half an hour early on day 4. Lasith Malinga continued with his balling as he had an incomplete over from the previous day. His first delivery was quick to go down to the boundary indicating the intentions of the Bangladeshi middle order.

Yet, it didn’t take too long for a yorker from Malinga to remove the out-of-form Khaled Mashud. Soon after Mashrafe Mortaza was trapped for leg before by Muttiah Muralitharan. The three remaining wickets followed the same fate, as the Sri Lankans wrapped up the match in just half an hour. No other bowler was even needed. Malinga- Murali pace-spin combination did the job for Sri Lanka. Malinga bowled superbly picking up 4-80. The ever brilliant Murali increased his wicket tally to 683 taking 4-87. The spin king who was also adjudged Man-of-the-Match is now only 25 away from equaling Australian Shane Warne’s World Record.

So, the Bangladeshis have yet again failed to deliver and lost another test match, their 41st defeat in test history. The Sri Lankans have improved since their last test encounter as they completed the highest victory (in terms of the margin), against the Bangladesh team, surpassing their previous first, of an innings and 196 runs in 2002.

The next test is scheduled to commence on the 3rd of July at the P. Saravanamuttu Stadium in Colombo.

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Malinga : Aggressive in bowling but mild in common life

Aggressive in bowling but mild in common life Lasith Malinga is talk of the cricketing world for many a reasons.

A new star in the comity of Sri Lanka cricket is in Abu Dhabi with his team to play three-match one-day series against Pakistan, talked candidly about his game and common life.

While talking to Khaleej Times at Royal Meridian hotel in Abu Dhabi, the fast bowler said, “People question my bowling action but there is nothing wrong with it.

“In the beginning, some of the experts told me to change my action but it is not possible.

“It is quite natural and I am perfectly at ease with it. Champaka Ramanaike, my bowling coach at Galle Cricket Club, advised me not to tinker with my action. It will have adverse effects on my performance.

“I can bowl really fast and results are quite obvious. I want to bring more laurels for my country.”

About his journey to stardom he said, “Cricket is my passion and I started bowling with leather ball at the age of 17. I have played cricket at school and college level.

“I joined Galle Cricket Club in 2001 and it turned out to be a turning point in my life.”

“I embarked on my first international tour to Australia in 2004 where I played a practice match and got 7 wickets for 19 runs. Selectors gave me the chance to play Test in Darwin and I responded with six wickets in two innings.

“From then on, I am representing my country in both versions of the game.”

Commenting on his four wickets on four balls against South Africa in the World Cup, he said, “It was a nice feeling because by that time it was a lost cause for Sri Lanka. But we fought well and went very close to a very unlikely victory.

“It would have been nicer, had we won the match.”

The smiling assassin added, “Cricket is everything to me and if I am not playing I want to relax and sleep a lot.”

“I am free man and don’t want so many restrictions on my life.”

When asked to name top batsmen in the world, he said, “Kumar Sangakkara, Marvan Atapattu, Adam Gilchrist, Rahul Dravid and Sachin Tendulkar.”

Man with a unique hairstyle is a big fan of former Pakistan great Waqar Younis.

“I am a big follower of Waqar and his ability to reverse swing both ways was quite phenomenal. Bowlers of Waqar’s calibre are a rare species these days.

“Another one of the greats from Pakistani fast bowlers and other part of two Ws, Wasim Akram passed on some tip to me how to bowl reverse swing and it really helped me a lot.”

When asked about being tagged as sexiest cricketer in the present lot, he smiled and said, “I feel great for this attribute. It is fans’ way of judging and I am very thankful to them.”

One of the most loved players in Sri Lanka team has no plans to tie the knot in near future as he said, “I am still very young and like to enjoy life to the hilt. There is no need to get caught in that sort of relationship so early.”

Source : Khaleej Times

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‘Mali’ is NCC’s Cricketer of the Year

Pic by Ranjith Perera

Twenty-three-year old Sri Lankan speedster Lasith Malinga, fondly referred to as ‘Mali’ had a sensational World Cup and was adjudged as the NCC (Nondescripts Cricket Club) Cricketer of the Year at the Club’s Annual Cricket Awards Night held on Friday.

The Awards night which was held for the first time was attended by a small and appreciative crowd that included a host of former NCC stars like Aravinda de Silva, Ranjan Madugalle, Hashan Tilekaratne, Amal Siva, Micheal Tissera and Dr H I K Fernando.The blonde-haired Malinga was instrumental in contributing towards NCC’s success last year where the Club emerged as Champions in the Premier Limited Over tournament.NCC also emerged runners –up in the Under 23 tournament and champions in the Division three tournament.

In addition to bagging the Cricketer of the Year, Lasith Malinga was also given a special award for his record breaking performance at the recently concluded World Cup where he captured four wickets from four balls against South Africa. The other awards presented were Best Batsman – Kanchana Gunawardene, Best Bowler C Komasaru, Best Fielder D Mapa, Best Allrounder-Lasith Fernando and emerging player –Tharaka Kottahewa.

Malinga received his award from Orville Perera, Managing Director of ABC Credit Card Company.

Courtesy : Sunday Times

Lanka Cricket congratulates ‘Mali’ on his wonderful performance !

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