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Last Updated : 2024-05-14 00:04:00
30 January 2024 09:00 pm - 14 - {{hitsCtrl.values.hits}}
By: Harsha Amarasinghe
Jan. 30 (Daily Mirror) - Muttiah Muralitharan has earned the right to be called the greatest spinner of all-times. Some Aussies might not agree with that statement, but statistically, no one even gets close to the magician spinner, and should English fast bowler James Anderson retire from Test cricket before turning 50, there is a good chance that the famous 800 remains iconic.
Muralitharan was a member of Sri Lanka Word Cup winning team in 1996. The off-spinner was also part of the national team which finished runners-up in 2007, 2009 and 2011. During his illustrious career, it’s fair to say he shouldered Sri Lankan cricket; particularly the bowling department.
Perhaps that would have been one of the reasons why he didn’t have a spin twin for a longer period of time. After Muralitharan, the best spinner Sri Lanka has produced, would be left arm spinner Rangana Hearth, but for some reason these two didn’t play together for many games.
Over the years, Muralitharan had the support of spinners such as Kumar Dharmasena, Upul Chandana, Malinga Bandara and Ajantha Mendis and towards the end of his career, Suraj Randiv - the guy many thought was going to replace the master, but not to be, unfortunately.
On the other hand, another reason that a second spinner didn’t have a longer run in the team was due to the fact that Sri Lanka always had brilliant spin-bowling all-rounders such as Sanath Jayasuriya, T.M. Dilshan, Aravinda de Silva who were predominantly batsmen.
Rangana Hearth and Dilruwan Perera played together in the longer format for a while in what
was a very difficult time for Sri Lanka, but it’s for the first time in many years that the first two names in the Sri Lanka limited overs team sheets would be two spinners - Wanindu Hasaranga and Maheesh Theekshana.
The spin duo has been exceptional for Sri Lanka in the last few years in the limited overs game. One of the key element of their successful partnership is that they are so different from each other. Hasaranga is willing to flight the ball and invite the batsmen to go after him while bringing that deadly googly into the play. Theekshana on the other hand always looks to keep things tight and maintain the pressure on the batsmen.
Irrespective of their style they have both been sensational with Theekshana ranked third in T20s while Hasaranga placed fourth.
Unfortunately, though they haven’t been able to make a significant impact during an ICC tournament in terms of at least making a final; except of course the Micky Mouse trophy Sri Lanka won in Zimbabwe last year which the former chief selector Promodya Wickramasinghe appeared to glorify as an achievement bigger than winning the World Cup itself.
Hasaranga and Theekshana have been magnificent in the franchise-based cricket tournaments as well currently involving in the International League T20 in United Arab Emirates (UAE) representing Desert Vipers and Sharjah Warriors respectively.
They are both still relatively young which means they have at least another ten years of cricket left in them, and Sri Lanka fans would dearly love to see them get their hands on a World Cup before the greatest Sri Lankan spin duo hang up their boots.
Karu Tuesday, 30 January 2024 09:47 PM
Murali and Medis played few matches together, but were a best spin duo. Jimmy Anderson can't get 800 wickets. He is already 41, and its very difficult for a fast bowler to keep both fitness and form well and take 3-5 wickets in an innings.
Hadam Tuesday, 30 January 2024 09:51 PM
Don't count the chicks before they hatch.
A Tuesday, 30 January 2024 11:56 PM
Harsha Amarasinghe Are you serious. These guys still playing write these stupid articles and mess them up . They lose it...get real .
Appuhamy Wednesday, 31 January 2024 04:27 AM
Dont forget Ajith De Silva
mario Wednesday, 31 January 2024 04:54 AM
I would put both these bowlers together and they would still be no match for the brilliant Murli. He sits on top of the cricket world, while these are closer to the bottom. No hard feelings.
Rishan Wednesday, 31 January 2024 04:59 AM
Who is hasaranga ? Useless fellow..always injured when a major tournament underway.... theekshana somewhat OK. I believe Murali/Rangana or Murali/Sanath....
Jude Wednesday, 31 January 2024 07:43 AM
@Karu, no one gonna break Murali's record. Having said that I would say James Anderson not only highest wicket taking place bowler, for me he's the best bowler ever to play Test cricket. Once West Indies great Michael Holding said give him a Coconut and Anderson will swing that too. And Shane Warne the best Spin bowler ever to play Test cricket. Nio disrespect for murali. Warnie has taken top order #1 to #5 More than any other spin bowler!!
Jude Wednesday, 31 January 2024 08:13 AM
Don't jump into conclusions!! The best Spin Twins by a wide margin it's none other than Murali And Sanath Jayasuriya!!
Labby Wednesday, 31 January 2024 09:04 AM
First talk about their fitness levels. Are they fit enough to play test match cricket, or are they restricting their bodies for moneymaking games only?
Mark Anandappa Wednesday, 31 January 2024 09:12 AM
Both of them do not play test matches
Rondy Wednesday, 31 January 2024 11:56 AM
Some seem to have forgotten DS
Sparks Wednesday, 31 January 2024 12:17 PM
The problem is lot of people not seen the good old great cricketers 70s 80s even 90s batters bowlers fielders all rounders and they look immaculate spots stars today you don't not many anyway...
Sam Perea Wednesday, 31 January 2024 01:56 PM
If you ask from Lara or Sachin they will definitely say Warne is the greatest spinner they have played. Murali has numbers, but we have to see how many overs he has bowled to get those wickets
Gonston Wednesday, 31 January 2024 05:46 PM
@The writer - what? you must be joking and bored not to have any other bonafide matter to write about. These 2 fellows show utmost commitment and perform well only for franchised clubs when well paid, never for the country at the time of need. Enough for the day, reading crap.
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