The Hindu : Sport / Cricket : Murali gears up for Zimbabwe tour

Online edition of India's National Newspaper
Wednesday, Apr 14, 2004

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Sport - Cricket

Murali gears up for Zimbabwe tour

COLOMBO, APRIL 13. After undergoing tests to prove the legality of his bowling action, Sri Lanka's champion off-spinner Muttiah Muralitharan has begun preparing for the Zimbabwe tour, during which he is expected to become the world's leading Test wicket taker, an official said.

The 33-year-old off-spinner is just seven wickets short of overtaking retired West Indian Courtney Walsh's 519 wickets.

Team manager Ajith Jayasekara said Muralitharan attended weekend practice sessions after returning from Australia where his bowling action was examined by experts.

Muralitharan's ``doosra" — a ball that spins away from the right-handed batsman was questioned by International Cricket Council match referee Chris Broad after last month's three-match home Test series against Australia.

Muralitharan picked up 28 wickets in that series, though Sri Lanka suffered its first 0-3 series defeat at home.

Bruce Elliot, an ICC-approved human movement specialist is expected to release his analysis to the Sri Lankan cricket board this week.

The off-spinner last month became only the third bowler in Test cricket to take 500 wickets behind Walsh and Australian leg-spinner Shane Warne who has 517 wickets.

Sri Lanka will play Zimbabwe in two Tests and five limited-over international matches starting April 20. — AP

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