Ranjit Rupesinghe Carina Hts QLD 4152 Aus

The Editor
Lankaweb

Whilst the cart wheeling, dancing and exploding fireworks will continue for sometime on the streets of Galle and other parts of beautiful Sri Lanka, it is indeed sad to realise that the curtain has finally come down on the career of a unique and marvellous sportsmen,Muthiah Muralidaran, the likes of which cricket or for that matter any sport, might never see again. ƒÆ’-¡ƒ”š‚ 

This effervescent character had to endure some painful and demoralising moments in his long and brilliant association with the game because of an unorthodox action due to a deformity from birth, but tenaciously fought on to reach the greatest and dizzying height of his career – 800 test match wickets, a record which will NEVER ƒÆ’-¡ƒ”š‚ be broken. Those doubters and Murali knockers, better accept that bald fact.

Although he could have continued in the game and trundled many more overs, Murali ever the pragmatist, called time when he was at the top of his game, albeit with a slight drop in potency. The manner in which he answered the wishes of millions of his fans couldn’t have been more dramatic and spectacular. If ever there was a fairy tale ending to an endearing story it was the final moments of the first test match between Sri Lanka and its mighty neighbour India on the 22 of July ƒÆ’-¡ƒ”š‚ 2010.

When scribes start writing about Muthiah Muralidaran, as they sure will, let’s hope that his life outside cricket will be included in their narration, especially his great humanitarian pursuits such as the Foundation of Goodness and his general philanthropic nature which has given succour to thousands of less fortunate people especially to the victims of the 2004 Boxing day tsunami. ƒÆ’-¡ƒ”š‚  ƒÆ’-¡ƒ”š‚  ƒÆ’-¡ƒ”š‚  ƒÆ’-¡ƒ”š‚ 
ƒÆ’-¡ƒ”š‚ 
Happy retirement Murali and thanks for the wonderful memories and your immeasurable contribution to Sri Lanka cricket. On behalf of cricket fans, far and wide, every best wish to you and your family.