/ 22 July 2010

Muralitharan claims 800th Test wicket

Muralitharan Claims 800th Test Wicket

Retiring world bowling record-holder Muttiah Muralitharan of Sri Lanka reached the 800-wicket mark with his last delivery in Test cricket on Thursday.

The off-spinner, 38, had last man Pragyan Ojha caught at slip by Mahela Jayawardene to terminate India’s second innings after lunch on the final day of the first Test at the Galle International Stadium.

Muralitharan, who has more Test and one-day (515) wickets than any bowler in history, will retire from Test cricket after the match.

India, who were made to follow on 244 runs behind, were all out for 338 in their second knock.

Sri Lanka need 95 to win the Test and take the lead in the three-match series.

He made his test debut aged 20 against Australia in 1992, claiming three wickets for 141 runs.

A year later he captured his first five-wicket haul in tests against South Africa with figures of 5-104.
Against New Zealand in 1995 his 19 wickets in Sri Lanka’s 2-1 series victory proved his match-winning qualities on any surface. — AFP