Magnificent Muralitharan leaves Test stage with 800 wickets

Muttiah Muralitharan left the Test scene yesterday having become the first man to claim 800 wickets in Test cricket.

With his final scalp, that of Pragyan Ojha, the 38-year-old spinner helped Sri Lanka thrash India by 10 wickets in Galle.

Muralitharan, wearing his trademark wide smile, was mobbed by his team-mates before being carried shoulder-high around the field to allow him to acknowledge an adoring public.

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"I'd like to thank Sri Lanka president Mahinda Rajapaksa for coming to support me," he said.

"Thanks to my wife and family for their support. To my team-mates, past and present, to the cricket board and officials, and the public of Sri Lanka.

"Thank you for supporting me all through these 19 years."

Muralitharan made his Test debut in 1992 against Australia but became embroiled in controversy three years later when he was called for throwing by umpire Darrell Hair.

"What happened in 1995, I did not expect that and I was disappointed," he said yesterday.

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"But at the same time, there were people who supported me; the cricket board, (former captain) Arjuna Ranatunga and Aravinda da Silva gave me a lot of guidance at that time and only because of that could I come through."

Muralitharan insists he bears no grudges against Hair, and also Ross Emerson who twice called him for throwing.

"It's the job of the umpires. The umpires make their judgments with the naked eye, so nothing against them," he added.

"I have no grudge against them. As long as I can prove I am technically good, I can hit back and I am happy to have made it through the tough times."

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Muralitharan has continued to make himself available for the shorter forms of the game.

"I spoke to the selectors and I have told them that I'm available for the World Cup if they need me," the Kandy-born off-spinner said. "Otherwise, I'd like to keep playing Twenty20 cricket as well, so that's the plan."

His records include:

Most wickets in Tests: 800

Most five-wicket Test hauls (in an innings): 67

Most 10-wicket Test hauls (in a match): 22

Most wickets taken bowled in Tests: 167; Caught: 435; Caught and bowled: 35 (Joint with Anil Kumble); Stumped: 47

Most balls bowled in Tests: 44,039

Ten wickets in a match in most consecutive Tests: Four (twice; Next best, Clarrie Grimmett: three).