Muttiah Muralitharan targets record 800-wicket haul - BBC Reports
Sri Lanka spinner Muttiah Muraliatharan wants to take his world record haul of wickets to 800 before he retires from international Test cricket.
As revealed by the BBC Sinhala Service last week, Muraliatharan will quit Test cricket after the first Test of the home series against India this month.
And the 38-year-old, currently on 792 wickets, told BBC Sport: "I always thought I'd reach the 800 mark.
"I can still reach it as I have one last Test. It would be magical ending."
Muralitharan, regarded as the greatest bowler Sri Lanka has ever produced and one of the finest players to grace the game, would need eight wickets in Galle to reach 800.
His Test-wicket haul has come from 132 Test appearances, while he has also played 337 one-day internationals, taking 515 wickets.
However, he has decided to focus on playing one-day cricket until the 2011 World Cup and, thereafter, exclusively on Twenty20 cricket, explaining: "I have achieved most of the things I wanted to in cricket.
"There is nothing left to achieve so I can't be selfish and play on."
Still, the off-spinner admits he hopes his sensational Test-wicket haul is never surpassed.
"I think records are meant to be broken," he said. "Someone will come and break it one day.
"But I don't have to lie. Every person that achieves something special doesn't want that achievement to be broken. I am no different. That is the way it should be. I want it to always be there but I think it will be broken. That's the way records work.
"It will happen but I'm selfish and I want it to be my record forever."
For the full interview with Muttiah Muralitharan, listen to Sport on Five on BBC Five Live from 2100 BST.
Friday, July 16, 2010
Muttiah Muralitharan targets record 800-wicket haul - BBC Reports
Saturday, July 10, 2010
What says Kumar Sangakkara In an Interview
I'm not a captain when I bat- Sanga
By Sumaiya Rizvi
Sri Lanka Cricket captain Kumar Sangakkara, in an interview with Daily Mirror online's 'Hot Seat Live' spoke on Murali's retirement from Test cricket, about Vaas and Sri Lanka cricket. Here are excerpts from the interview.
Q:Were you expecting Muttiah Muralidaran's retirement from Test cricket?
It was expected because Murali has been talking about retirement since the Indian tour last year and even before that. He wanted to retire but he thought he'd play another year but again now during the test series with India he's expressed his intent to quit during the test series with India . He's had an amazing career, he's the best bowler that the world has ever seen and he's achieved things that no cricketer can ever achieve or even dream of. So he's retiring on an absolute high and we have to respect his decision. We will miss him greatly. He's been such a wonderful part in my cricketing career and I have played ten years with him and been very fortunate to do that.
Q: Does it come as a surprise to you that Muralidaran is considering retirement from Test cricket?
He has been open with his communication and his feelings. He has been talking about it for a while. He is one person who had the best interest of Sri Lankan cricket at heart. Three days ago the selectors, Murali and I met to discuss about the world cup. We told him that we were looking at him in our preparation to the world cup in the next six months. He doesn't have to play all the games but select the tours that he wants to play. He was keen on that and willing to do the job for us. I think he's retiring from test cricket and play one day cricket for a while.
Q: Caller: Thilina Kadamby has been getting so many chances and since Murali is also leaving. When will consistent performers like Jeevan Mendis get a fair chance to perform for Sri Lanka at the World Cup since he is an all-rounder?
That is the question we keep asking ourselves for some time. Not only with regard to Thilina Kadamby. But he has been consistent since he bats at number six or seven they are usually the first people to be dropped form the side in trying situations it was the same when Russell Arnold was playing and the stats don't back the players at that point. Jeevan Mendis was a huge talent when he played for S.Thomas ' I remember him scoring a hundred in the Big Match unfortunately for him he took a long time to mature through first class cricket structure. I think in the last year Jeevan has come into his own and he has been scoring a lot of runs in the'A' side with the provincial cricket. And we were discussing how we can get him to the national side even for the Asia Cup. Then we discussed with Aravinda and the selector to give him an opportunity against Zimbabwe followed by a tour to Australia to see how he performs on those wickets and he has done well for himself in the A team. The first one dayer he scored 85 and helped Sri Lanka win it. Jeevan's future is looking bright will have to see whether he'd break into our side and our world cup squad.
Q: Caller: Roshan from Colombo : Why don't you select Chaminda Vaas at least for the Twenty20 series because he's been consistent at the English county?
I agree with you on that point. I sent an SMS to Vaasi a few days ago telling him how impressed we were with his county performances and that we have not forgotten him in our world cup plans. So let him play his county season and see how he goes. But Vaasi realistically has a good chance fitting into our world cup side and has played exceptionally well or us. He is very experienced but the competition is stiff amongst the fast bowlers specially with the new power plays in play. And he is one player we expect will make it to the final squad for the world cup. We know what Vaasi can do and we need to give a run to see what the other guys can do before we decide on the world cup.
Q: Caller: Rikaz from Bambalapit iya: Why didn't you play a captain's innings in the Asia Cup finals against India ?
I understand your point. But I try to forget that I'm the captain when I go down to bat since it is undue pressure. My position is at number three and the role of number three is different to carrying through the innings. We had identified specific people to carry the job. Every player wants to bat through the innings and win the match for their side. That is why we play a seven batsman combination and each batsman's roles are defined and understood based on the situation. Sometimes they succeed, fail or finish games. In the final we dint have anyone finish the game for us.
Q: Caller Surein from Moratuwa: I want to ask you about Chamara Kapugedara whose faces criticism on his batting although he is a brilliant fielder. Don't you think he deserves a place at the next world cup?
You spot on with that he is a quality player whose got a lot of talent. We will try hard to make sure that talent is converted to consistent performances. We are going to give him a very good run since he is going to be an important player at the world cup. Kapu is a brilliant fielder and can bowl a bit although we have to find the ideal batting spot for him which I think is at number 7. He can be explosive even at the head or tail order of the line up. He has to keep playing his aggressive cricket and we have to trust him.
Q: What do you make of former Australian Prime Minister Howard's changed view of Murali?
That is a politically loaded question. When he questioned Murali's legitimacy as a bowler we were all disappointed. It was highly uncalled for. Contrary to scientific view there is no way one could tell with the naked eye or the two dimensional camera to explain a bowler's arm movement. No other bowler from any other country had to undergo has been scrutinized to this extent. Murali's is the best bowler in the world and that what I think made him change his mind.
Q: Caller Victor Ratnam from Pita Kotte: What are the reasons that led to the debacle at the Asia Cup finals? I hope there wasn't any political interference in the team that played the finals.
Selection was made on merit and a few options available on a few different combinations and decision was made on the final combination based on the wicket. Since the wicket was new the conditions changed during the morning and evening and the movement off the pitch lasted for 20 overs and we struggled under the lights. The match before the finals we played on a used wicket and we were able to handle the movement on the pitch that lasted for eight overs. We lost five wickets for 50 runs and the batting department let us down. It was not a selection matter that spelled our downfall in the finals. We couldn't finish the tournament with a good batting performance chasing 267 runs.
Q: Did Sri Lanka Cricket oppose Prime Minister Howard's candidacy as the CEO of the ICC?
Yes they did as many other Asian countries. For the simple reason that Mr. Howard did not have experience in cricketing or cricket administration and his experience was purely political which was not a good precedent to set for the CEO's position at the ICC.
Q: Caller Raza Ghany from England : When will Sri Lanka get a five or three match tournament with countries like South Africa , Australia and England ?
It is something we have been fighting for. This year Sri Lanka has scheduled only five test matches, two with West Indies at the end of the year. Luckily I think there were calls from players like Sachin Tendulkar for test matches and that is how we come to play India in the upcoming series. Unfortunately teams like England , Australia and South Africa we tour them or they visit us every five years. But England has given us a three test series although Australia hasn't done so. It is a duty of our Board and the ICC to give equal opportunities to the cricketing nations. Planning committees to make sure that everything is fair.
Q: Caller Tashya: What is the Biggest sacrifice and is it worth it?
I'd like to wait and see until I retire. Whether the sacrifice was worth it, In my ten year career My family and extended family have been sidelines in the process. You can say its selfish because I'm looking at only one aspect of cricket. But it's benefited me and my family. We spend a lot of time touring, traveling and training. Winning a world cup make it a bit more worth it. We'll have to wait and see.
Q: Caller Krishan from Borella: What is your view of cricketers who join politics?
It is a personal choice. If you want to represent your country in cricket or in any other sport it is a must to be a member with the Sports Ministry. Since the 1996 World Cup consecutive Governments' have shown a lot of encouragement and support for the sport in terms of development.
When the cricketers go on overseas tours or politics it is their personal choice. Whether its right or wrong to enter politics while playing cricket is been a questions since Sanath Jayasuriya has done it. Personally for me I have no plans of joining politics. But for Sanath at the stage of his cricketing career he made the choice that was right for him.
Q: Caller Joel from England : How will the spin department fair after Murali's retirement and what is happening to Vaasi?
He is one of the fittest players I have played with and he handled his omission from the Sri Lankan team with a lot of grace. His chances for the World Cup are very much alive and Aravinda de Silva hasn't forgotten about Vaasy and neither has the team. Murali's retirement will create a vacuum in world cricket we will never be able to replace him. A cricketer like him comes once in few generations. The search is not for the next Murali but the next best spinner.
Q: Caller Ubaidullah: Do you have twins?
I have a Son and a daughter who are twins. They are just over a year old now and they are doing fine. Their names are Swyrie and Kavith.
Q: What are your views of the new selection committee and its chairman Aravinda De Silva?
They are people of integrity and have been cricketers of high calibre. They determine the career of cricketers, the future and present of Sri Lankan cricket. Their job is not always easy They have to try an pick not just the best 11 players but as Ranjith Fernando would say best in the combination of 11 players. A player is going to feel bad about certain decisions. I have great respect for the Selection Committee. Aravinda whose shrewd and intelligent when it comes to cricket.
Q: What do you as the future of Sri Lanka cricket in terms of talent, training and technological development?
Talent is not going to be a problem. We got a great school structure that will always churn out good players. Unfortunately from there onwards the nurturing of those cricketers is critical although there isn't a process in place where they can play professional club cricket like in England and Australia . When the cricketers don't make it to the national team can make a living playing club or county cricket. We need to get there and the best way is by the Provincial cricket.
National players also be committed to playing provincial. So that the younger players get to talk, watch and play gaining much needed exposure. We are upto date with the technological advancements so far.
Q: Caller Ruvin: Why hasn't Sanath Jayasuriya been dropped?
As a result of his performance in the past one year Asantha de Mel and Aravinda de Silva had decided to drop him.
Q: How involved were you in the International Indian Film Academy (IIFA) awards and what was your role?
On behalf of the Sri Lanka Tourism Promotion Bureau (SLTPB) the Presidents office asked me to go to India and be part of the Press Conferences.
I think it was our responsibility as ambassadors. Charity match with proceeds going to much needed charities.
Q: What are you plans for the upcoming tournaments?
Nothing short of winning a test series with India and it is very satisfying to do soThursday, July 1, 2010
FIFA world cup 2010 South Africa LIVE Result and Highlights !
FIFA world cup 2010 South Africa
LIVE Result and Highlights !
Group - Quarter Finals and Semi finals results..
all are here........Play to watch ans change..
Saturday, June 6, 2009
ICC Twenty20 Cricket World Cup 2009 Schedule
http://cricketschedule.blogspot.com/
Schedule: ICC Twenty20 Cricket World Cup 2009
| Group A | Group B | Group C | Group D |
| India | Pakistan | Australia | New Zealand |
| Bangladesh | England | Sri Lanka | South Africa |
| Ireland | Netherlands | West Indies | Scotland |
| Group E | A1, B2, C1, D2 | Group F | B1, A2, C2, D1 |
| Friday, June 5 | ||
| England vs Netherlands | Lord's | Match report | Scorecard | Images |
| Saturday, June 6 | ||
| New Zealand vs Scotland | The Oval | 14:30 IST |
| Australia vs West Indies | The Oval | 18:30 IST |
| India vs Bangladesh | Nottingham | 22:30 IST |
| Sunday, June 7 | ||
| Scotland vs South Africa | The Oval | 18:00 IST |
| England vs Pakistan | The Oval | 22:00 IST |
| Monday, June 8 | ||
| Bangladesh vs Ireland | Nottingham | 18:00 IST |
| Australia vs Sri Lanka | Nottingham | 22:00 IST |
| Tuesday, June 9 | ||
| Netherlands vs Pakistan | Lord's | 18:00 IST |
| New Zealand vs South Africa | Lord's | 22:00 IST |
| Wednesday, June 10 | ||
| Sri Lanka vs West Indies | Nottingham | 18:00 IST |
| India vs Ireland | Nottingham | 22:00 IST |
Placement for the Super Eight stage is determined as follows:
The first two teams in each group are placed 1 or 2. They will retain this position for the Super Eight stage, irrespective of whether they finish first or second in their group, unless they are knocked out by the team 3 in their group. In this instance, team 3 replaces the position of the team they knock out.
| Thursday, June 11 | ||
| D1 v A2 | Nottingham | 18:00 IST |
| B2 v D2 | Nottingham | 22:00 IST |
| Friday, June 12 | ||
| B1 v C2 | Lord's | 18:00 IST |
| A1 v C1 | Lord's | 22:00 IST |
| Saturday, June 13 | ||
| C1 v D2 | The Oval | 18:00 IST |
| D1 v B1 | The Oval | 22:00 IST |
| Sunday, June 14 | ||
| A2 v C2 | Lord's | 18:00 IST |
| A1 v B2 | Lord's | 22:00 IST |
| Monday, June 15 | ||
| B1 v A2 | The Oval | 18:00 IST |
| B2 v C1 | The Oval | 22:00 IST |
| Tuesday, June 16 | ||
| D1 v C2 | Nottingham | 18:00 IST |
| D2 v A1 | Nottingham | 22:00 IST |
| Thursday, June 18 | ||
| E1 v F2, 1st Semi-Final | Nottingham | 22:00 IST |
| Friday, June 19 | ||
| F1 v E2, 2nd Semi-Final | The Oval | 22:00 IST |
| Sunday, June 21 | ||
| Final | Lord's | 19:30 IST |
Monday, January 21, 2008
India - Australia , The Final Review Of the Test Match !
India win ends Aussie record bid | ||||||
| Third Test, Perth: India 330 & 294 bt Australia 212 & 340 by 72 runs (day four) India denied Australia a record 17th straight victory by dismissing them for 340 to win the third Test by 72 runs. Resuming on 65-2, chasing 413, the hosts did well to only lose Ricky Ponting (45) on the fourth morning. But Mike Hussey (46), Andrew Symonds, Adam Gilchrist and Brett Lee fell to make it 243-7 at tea, while Anil Kumble had Michael Clarke (81) stumped. Mitchell Johnson (50no) shared 73 with Stuart Clark (32) but India persevered to cut their series deficit to 2-1. It ended the home side's hopes of surpassing the 16 consecutive victories achieved by Steve Waugh's Aussies between 1999-2001. The defeat was their first since the thriller at Trent Bridge against England in 2005, and their first on home soil since India beat them in Adelaide in 2003. And the tourists will now fancy their chances of completing their fightback in the finale at the same South Australia venue and emulate the series draw they achieved that time. That is a remarkable prospect considering the acrimony and soul-searching which followed their controversial defeat in Sydney. Australia were hoping the Waca pitch, which had shown signs of variable bounce and turn would hold up well in the baking heat. However, their chances suffered an early blow when captain Ponting was caught by Rahul Dravid at first slip off Ishant Sharma, and the middle order fell away after lunch. Hussey was trapped lbw by RP Singh and Symonds was leg-before to skipper Kumble although replays showed he had made contact with the bat. Part-time spinner Sehwag then did further damage by bowling Gilchrist round his legs for 15 and having Lee snapped up at silly mid-off by VVS Laxman. While Clarke was at the crease the Aussies retained an outside chance of a stunning success. But his 134-ball defiance ended when he charged down the track to leg-spinner Kumble and was a couple of yards short when Mahendra Dhoni whipped off the bails. India's celebrations were delayed by an unlikely obstacle in Johnson, who smashed Sehwag over mid-on for six and clubbed three fours in one Kumble over costing 17 runs. Johnson was bowled off a Kumble no-ball and dropped on the boundary at wide long-on by Sehwag before clubbing a massive six in the same region to bring up the fifty partnership off 47 balls. The visitors were losing their grip, on the ball and their nerves, as edges and heaves dropped agonisingly short of fielders. Singh was handed the second new ball at the first opportunity and Clark, who was fed a steady diet of long-hops, promptly pulled him for another maximum to bring the target down to 100. The tail-enders' confidence was soaring but Pathan found Clark's edge to have him caught behind. Johnson, who was dropped by Dravid at first slip off Singh, deservedly reached his maiden Test fifty off 80 balls but Singh clean bowled Shaun Tait to seal a momentous Indian triumph.
|  | Updated: 18 Jan, 14:23 GMT SEE ALSO RELATED BBC LINKS: RELATED INTERNET LINKS: The BBC is not responsible for the content of external internet sites | ||||
Saturday, September 15, 2007
Sri Lanka thrash Kenya with record total
Sri Lanka thrash Kenya with record total
JOHANNESBURG (AFP) Sri Lanka went on a spectacular run spree to post the highest Twenty20 total of 260-6 in the world championship match against hapless Kenya here on Friday and then bowl out the African team for 89.
Veteran Sanath Jayasuriya led the way with 88 off 44 balls and captain Mahela Jayawardene hit 65 off 28 before Jehan Mubarak smashed an unbeaten 46 from 13 balls at the end.
Left-handed Mubarak took 29 runs off the 19th over bowled by seamer Lameck Ngoche as Sri Lanka beat by 39 runs the previous highest total of 221-5 by Australia against England in Sydney earlier this year. Jayasuriya, the oldest player in the 12-nation tournament at 38, launched Sri Lanka's brilliant innings with 11 boundaries and four sixes at the top of the order.
Jayasuriya put on 75 off 39 balls for the second wicket with Kumar Sangakkara (30) and an incredible 87 in 30 balls for the third with Jayawardene.
Jehan Mubarak
The Sri Lankan captain helped himself to nine fours and two sixes in his team's first match in group C which also features New Zealand.
Mubarak, who came to bat in the 19th over at 215-6, pounded Ngoche for 6,6,6,4,6 with the first five balls he faced before ending the over with a single.
In the final over bowled by Peter Ongondo, Mubarak hit the first two balls for boundaries and the third for a six.
Lameck Ngoche went for 61 runs in his four overs and captain Steve Tikolo for 25 in his only over.
Scoreboard
Sri Lanka
S. Jayasuriya c sub (Suji) b N. Ngoche 88
U. Tharanga b Odoyo 10
K. Sangakkara b Kamande 30
M. Jayawardene lbw b Kamande 65
C. Silva run out 5
T. Dilshan b Kamande 3
J. Mubarak not out 46
G. Wijekoon not out 1
Extras: (lb2, w8, nb2) 12
Total (six wickets, 20 overs) 260
Fall of wickets: 1-19 (Tharanga), 2-94 (Sangakkara), 3-181 (Jayasuriya), 4-195 (Silva), 5-212 (Jayawardene), 6-215 (Dilshan)
Bowling: Odoyo 3-0-14-1 (w1), Ongondo 4-0-53-0 (nb1), N. Ngoche 4-0-57-1 (w2), L. Ngoche 4-0-61-0 (nb1), Kamande 4-0-48-3 (w1), Tikolo 1-0-25-0
Kenya
M. Ouma lbw b Vaas 0
D. Obuya run out 18
N. Ngoche b Vaas 5
T. Mishra st Sangakkara b Jayasuriya 16
S. Tikolo c Jayawardene b Malinga 4
C. Obuya c and b Malinga 2
A. Obanda st Sangakkara b Dilshan 21
J. Kamande lbw b Wijekoon 5
L. Ngoche not out 4
P. Ongondo c Jayawardene b Dilshan 3
T. Odoyo absent hurt 0
Extras: (w10) 10
Total (all out 19.3 0vers) 88
Fall of wickets: 1-0 (Ouma), 2-20 (N. Ngoche), 3-42 (Mishra), 4-47 (Tikolo), 5-50 (C. Obuya), 6-66 (D. Obuya), 7-81 (Obanda), 8-83 (Kamande), 9-88 (Ongondo)
Bowling: Vaas 4-1-15-2, Fernando 3-0-23-0 (w5), Jayasuriya 3-0-9-1, Malinga 3-0-13-2 (w1), Silva 2-0-12-0, Wijekoon 3-0-12-1, Dilshan 1.3-0-4-2
******************************************************
The ICC Twenty20 World Cup group ‘C’ points table.
Goup C
Team Mat Won Lost Tied Pts Net RR
Sri Lanka 1 1 0 0 2 +8.600
New Zealand 1 1 0 0 2 +6.002
Kenya 2 0 2 0 0 -8.047
