muttiah muralitharan - Dhaka Mirror

Murali wants Hashan to prove allegations

Admin — Wed, 04 May 2011 16:38:59 +0000

Retired Sri Lankan spinner Muttiah Muralitharan wants his former team-mate Hashan Tillakaratne to either furnish proof of match-fixing by the country’s cricketers or stop making such allegations as he might just end up being sued.
“I don’t know why he has said this. If somebody is making such claims, he should first give enough proof to support them, otherwise someone can sue him,” Muralitharan told ‘PTI Bhasha’
At a television chat show last week, Tillakaratne said match-fixing existed in Sri Lankan cricket since 1992 and that he would reveal the names soon. He also expressed reservations about the team selection for the 2011 World Cup.
On being asked whether he had been approached by any bookie during his 18—year career, Muralitharan said he had never been contacted by a fixer.
“In any case, I will tell this to the ICC’s anti corruption unit only. There is a code and all the players follow that,” said the veteran, who plays for IPL debutant Kochi Tuskars Kerala.
He also rejected suggestions that Tillakaratne’s allegations have tarnished the image of Sri Lankan cricket.
“Hashan has made allegations and only he is answerable for that. I don’t know what to say. These are mere allegations which have not been proved yet,” he said.

Courtesy of dailymirror.lk

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Muralitharan’s mom-in-law will cheer both teams

Admin — Sat, 02 Apr 2011 04:45:18 +0000

Mumbai: When Sri Lanka’s Muttiah Muralitharan played his last Test match (vs. India at Galle, in July last year), he had invited his Indian mother-in-law, Dr. Nithiya Rammurthy, to witness his 800th wicket. She will be in Mumbai on Saturday for the World Cup final between India and Sri Lanka. “My daughter, Madhi, will obviously support her husband’s team. and as per Indian tradition, I have also to support my son-in-law. I have to be with my daughter and her family”, she said exclusively from Chennai. She, however, added, “I also want Sachin Tendulkar to score his 100th ton on Saturday. If that happens, chances for Sri Lanka to win the match will be minimised and therefore I am confused”.
“To be honest, it is a difficult question on whom I would clap for. But yes, I would be happier if the match is tied and both Sri Lanka and India are declared joint winners”. The World Cup is being co-hosted by India, Sri Lanka (and Bangladesh).
Madhi, who holds a post-graduate qualification in business administration, worked as a director in charge of administration at a private heart hospital in Chennai founded by her late father. Their first child, Naren, was born in January 2006.

Courtesy of The Independent

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SL bid bye to Murali

Admin — Wed, 30 Mar 2011 10:40:01 +0000

Sri Lankan bade an emotional farewell to Muttiah Muralitharan who played his last international match on home soil with the first World Cup semi-final against New Zealand at the Premadasa Stadium on Tuesday.
A journey that began 18 years ago at this very ground against India, came to a fitting end with Muralitharan striking with his last ball at home when he had Scott Styris out for an lbw.
Playing with an injury, his contribution in the game, however, was noting more than average with a low-key return of 2-42 in 10 overs.
Muralitharan aggravated his hamstring injury during the group game against the same opponents and hurt his knee in the quarter-final against England which made him uncertain for the semi-final at one stage.
The magnitude of the game coupled with the emotional attachment took him onto the field, but Muralitharan was not at his very best in the game, which was evident in his every step.
And still a half-fit Muralitharan was a big threat for New Zealand, who never had any good names for handling spin bowling. And they showed it again when they struggled against him, losing two key wickets at key moments.
Muralitharan’s scalp included Jesse Ryder, New Zealand’s top-scorer in the quarter-final against South Africa, and Scott Styris, who gave his best shot for them on Tuesday with highest 57 runs.
With their wickets Muralitharan signed off his campaign at home, taking his tally in the World Cup to 68 in 39 appearances. Muralitharan, who was playing his fifth World Cup, is now three wickets away from equalling the all-time World Cup record of 71.
It is, however, immaterial for the Sri Lankans if he had another record to his name or not and it doesn’t matter how he has performed in his last home game. He will remain forever a hero to them as he always was.
Born in a Tamil family, Muralitharan is probably the most adored cricketer in Sri Lanka and, needless to say, also the most respected as well. The entire country backed him when the Australian umpires called him ‘a chucker’ in 1995 and 1998 and he had got support from his every captain during his career spanning nearly two decades.
He could have easily continued to play for a few more years if he wanted, said the Sri Lankans, whom he amused year after year even on the placid pitches.
Commentators once argued if could turn the ball on a glass, but Muralitharan decided he has already done enough. Like many other great players he decided to quit when he is still close to his peak, which only increased his popularity as a cricketer.
His plan to dedicate his time for charity work in the war-hit Tamil area after retirement also took his popularity to a new height.
In Sri Lanka, the ruling Sinhalese people always hate the Tamils, but they never hated Muralitharan as he was beyond any race, cast and culture.
World Cup or no World Cup, it will not bring any changes in his popularity.

Courtesy of New Age

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‘Hairsay’ on Murali action angers fans

Admin — Sun, 06 Mar 2011 08:19:04 +0000

Hair claims some umpires suspect the spinner’s bowling but will not call him on it
Colombo: As if to provoke and disturb the concentration of Sri Lanka’s strike bowler Muttiah Muralitharan, former Australian Test umpire Darrell Hair has come out with a timely disclosure.
Speaking to an Australian newspaper, he revealed that several International Cricket Council match officials believe that Muralitharan is a chucker, but have refrained from calling him during matches. Hair’s remark has evoked huge criticism here and angered the Sri Lankan fans.
A cricket fan at the entrance of the R. Premadasa Stadium, unable to control his anger, said: “This only proves that Hair is the most biased umpire in the world. He is the 16th man in the Australian team, and to make such a comment especially just before the all-important match of the World Cup is not right.”
Hair had first called Muralitharan for throwing in 1995. He went on to say that some of the leading cricketers have privately rebuked Muralitharan’s action.
Tour called off
Hair also claimed that Muralitharan had chucked many times during Sri Lanka’s 11-run defeat to Pakistan in the ongoing World Cup.
Meanwhile, Muralitharan, who was planning to be guest coach at Australia’s Centre for Excellence, has decided not to tour Australia. His agent Kashil Gunasekara has announced that Muralitharan will not be able to make it due to other commitments.
Instead, Muralitharan will be focusing on playing for Kochi in the Indian Premier League and he also has a stint with English county Gloucestershire.
Hair, without naming any umpire, has said: “A few have told me there is definitely something wrong with his action, but they are not going to call him.” Despite Muralitharan being cleared of chucking by the ICC after undergoing numerous bio-mechanical tests, Hair said: “If you are an umpire, you’re meant to uphold the law so both teams get a fair shake. I watched a few of his deliveries in his game against Pakistan and I noticed the last few overs when he was really getting some turn on the ball, those wouldn’t have complied under scrutiny. But this is his last World Cup, he’s going to bow out with a lot of fanfare and no umpire will be bothered by it.”

Courtesy of gulfnews.com

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