Its Only Cricket

Filed under Australia vs Srilanka

Cricket has countless records. Every run made, every wicket goes down with a new achievement. Statistically!

Practically, what are the two true top records you can make on cricket field? Take more test wickets than anyone else, or score more than anyone ever has - that will be my answer.

Richard Hadlee once had the crown of being the bowler with most wickets (In Test Match cricket that is). Crown went to Kapil Dev (broke record in Srilanka), then to Courntney Walsh (at home West Indies) to Shane Warne (in India). It stands at 708 wickets for Australian spinner.

Soon, Muthiah Muralitharan of srilanka will beat that (already on 700), and he's very likely to do that in Australia itself. A country where this off-spinner was repeatedly called for No-balls due to his action. The umpires were Darrell Hair (of Oval test fame) & Steve Dunne (who didn't call no-ball from his end).

Darrell Hair, to tell you a little history, was calling no-ball from the striker's end, when it should be done by leg-umpire, if at all. For several minutes, Australian fans thought it was Muralitharan's foot at fault and realized his action wasn't correct from Hair's perspective after good 15 minutes & 7 no balls.

The myth should be cleared about Australian cricket fans having something against this sri-lanka off spinner. Muralitharan went to Australia in 2005, but played only the ODIs not in the test series. No problems occured during that series, where Australian batsman hit Murali all around the park.

Trouble might come, when Muralitharan will start his latest trick of bowling around the wicket to the right handers & get lbw in his favour. Mahela Jayawardene, the captain for the 2007 tour, has big job in his hands. Jayawardene is right - Lankan cricket team is having great chance of beating Australia in Australia after a long time, with or without their spin wizard!

Sri Lanka select 16 for 2 tests downunder

Australia, world record & cricket's greatest spinner

Australia vs Srilanka 2 test match 3 mobile series

Srilanka fail to meet expectations : Gabba test