Muralitharan's magic, the best ever

By Our Special Correspondent

SHARJAH, OCT. 27. That's that. Muttiah Muralitharan proved to be too wily on Friday night, his seven for 30 lowering the world record in one-day internationals in the ten overs he bowled in two spells here in the Coca Cola Tri-series on Friday. West Indian Winston Davis held the record for eight years (seven for 51 against Australia in the 1983 World Cup) and Pakistan's Aaqib Javed held it for nine years (seven for 37 against India here in 1991).

Not one Indian batsman picked Muralitharan in the air and off the pitch. This was more pronounced when he bowled round the wicket to the left-handers. Their demise and that of the batsmen who tried the most, Sachin Tendulkar, occurred one after another.

The off-spinner with an unconventional release of the ball striking form was not good news for the Indians who will be up against him in the final on Sunday. He took four wickets in a clutch in his first spell of seven overs, three more in his second, reached a milestone of 200 wickets in one-day internationals and left no one in doubt that the Sri Lankans were the outright winners of the day, especially after Mahela Jayawardena and Marvan Atapattu bested the previous partnership for the third wicket in Sharjah.

To discredit their outstanding display even when considering the fact that it was a dead match would be a shame. Tendulkar showed commitment, so did Robin Singh. But a target that was five runs shot of 300 would have tested the toughest and most consistent team going in the business of limited-overs international. Only three days ago England chased a 300 plus target to beat Pakistan, but as the England captain Nasser Hussain admitted, heavy dew on the outfield at Karachi had helped his side.

On Friday night the Indian never really looked capable of reaching the big total. For a week or so Sourav Ganguly has been carrying on with a troubled mind, unable to convince the coach that his best batting place here is in the middle. He did not have the nerves to overcome the pressure brought in by the Sri Lankan batsmen.

An unique performer

SHARJAH, OCT. 28. If a bowler averages over two wickets in one day internationals, he is deemed effective and consistent. He gets only ten overs to bowl, some times less. New Zealand's Richard Hadlee hated to bowl in one-day internationals. He turned out for his national team only because he was such a skillful and great bowler. And then there are bowlers like Wasim Akram and Waqar Younis, whose brilliant opening spells have resulted in rival teams being routed. Akram played a big role in Pakistan winning the 1992 World Cup in Australia.

A medium pacer or spinner taking four or five wickets in a one- day match is considered a big achievement. When Muttiah Muralitharan gave vein to his tricks of the trade, which he has been practicing for many years, at the Sharjah Cricket Stadium on Friday, he ended up with a world record seven wickets for 30 runs - averaging three runs an over, marginally above his average of 27 plus in 147 one dayers. So his feat on this score was not surprising.

The Sri Lankan Cricket Board immediately announced a reward of US $ 10,000. A good gesture. Muralitharan has been a match winner for Sri Lanka in Tests and in one day internationals. He needed one more wicket against India to complete 200 wickets in limited over matches. ``I knew I had done it when I got the wicket of Robin Singh. But I was not aware of the world record.''

Dav Whatmore the Australian coach with the Sri Lankan team said, ``He (Muralitharan) is a freak. I always encourage him.''

Muralitharan was the obvious choice for the Man of the Match award. He made one pertinent point at the press conference on the matter of whether he liked to bowl to right handers or left handers. ``I like to bowl to the right handers because they have to play at me all the time.'' What he did not say was that the left handers have the advantage of leaving.

There was been question marks against his bowling in which his wrist comes into play. He has been called by Australian umpires and many critics have said bowlers like Muralitharan should be encouraged because the game of cricket needs players like him. To the Sri Lankans what matters is his skill and variety and his wicket taking ability that has won them matches. His haul on Friday fourth five wicket haul in one-dayers. - Our Special Correspondent

Sri Lankan Muttiah Muralitharan being congratulated by teammate Russel Arnold, after the off-spinner got rid of Indian all- rounder Robin Singh. A delighted wicket- keeper Romesh Kaluwitharana is also seen. Muralitharan finished with seven for 30, the best ever figures in one-day internationals.

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