Muttiah Muralitharan

The fact that Muttiah Muralitharan got his iconic 800th Test wicket with the last ball of his last over was a fitting finale for a man that covered every gamut of emotion in Sport.

From being worshipped as being a bowling genius for his exceptional feats. Many of which are unlikely to ever be surpassed. To being ridiculed as being a cheat for being a chucker even when time after time he was cleared by examination. Even to the extent of being subjected to an arm brace and still passing tests.

In truth, this ever smiling man meant so much to his nation in so many regards. Both on and off the field you had probably the most controversial figure in the games history.

Away from the hysteria over him from both his fans and critics no one could disagree with the effectiveness of his bowling. Best described by a man who was always very reserved in his praise in the former Australian skipper Steve Waugh who described him as the ‘the Don Bradman of bowling‘.

Indeed due praise for his presence and record in both the Test and ODI arena…

So in this World Cup where Murali still has a place in the Sri Lankan World Cup squad what can we expect from him?

Taking into account he has retired from Test cricket and he’s 38, one still can’t doubt his devastating effect in the ODI cricket. He is the leading wicket taker in the history of the ODI game with the incredible average and economy rate to match his wicket haul.

I think that he could be the decisive factor in a Sri Lankan World Cup win.

For in this World Cup though he is very much seen as the supporting cast for Sri Lanka which exemplifies their strength in resources and makes him a more formidable foe.

With Sri Lanka possessing arguably the most devastating bowler in the ODI game in Lasith Malinga. Opposition Teams are going to have to be wary against him and take risks against the other bowlers. In the knowledge that this is going to be a World Cup dominated by bat. So scoring 220 against a team like Sri Lanka with its formidable batting is like trying to slay a dragon with a toothpick.

So Teams have two choices with this legend…

Either they might choose to target Murali, a man that is on his farewell tour but still hasn’t lost his cobra’s sting. Or they might indeed pay him the homage he deserves and let him strangle them through the middle overs which makes the other bowlers more effective for they have to take risks against them in the hope of a competitive total or in the success of a chase. Then in the support cast you have Angelo Mathews, Kulasekera and Ajantha Mendis – all three being very accomplished and capable bowlers.

Good luck in conquering Sri Lanka’s bowling unit with Murali still being a huge and most likely decisive factor.

Tags: Ajantha Mendis, Angelo Mathews, Bowling, Cricket, Lasith Malinga, Legend, Muttiah Muralitharan, Nuwan Kulasekara, Sport, Sri Lanka, World Cup