da esoccer bet： Cricket has a reputation for producing the unexpected but there are few saferpredictions than Muttiah Muralitharan grabbing a bagful of wickets on adusty Galle track
Charlie Austin11-Jan-2002Cricket has a reputation for producing the unexpected but there are few saferpredictions than Muttiah Muralitharan grabbing a bagful of wickets on adusty Galle track. Thus, as Sri Lanka and Zimbabwe limber up for the finalTest of a hopelessly one-sided three-match series, Sri Lanka’s crown jewellooks set to reach 400 Test wickets in record time.Muralitharan, his ring finger still swollen and locked safely in aprotective plastic splint, needs just five more wickets to become theseventh bowler to join the exclusive 400 club.Astonishingly, if he does take the five, the Sri Lankan-born Tamil, now 29,will have reached the landmark in just 72 games, eight matches less and nineyears younger than the next quickest, New Zealand’s Richard Hadlee, whopassed 400 in his 80th game.He will also become the youngest to the landmark being two years youngerthan his contemporary counterpart, Aussie leg-spinner Shane Warne, whoreached the 400 mark against England at the Oval last summer but needed 20more Tests.The impending milestone dominates the build-up to the Test, with captainSanath Jayasuriya hoping he clinches it on home soil: “This is a historicalgame for Murali and we are all looking forward and waiting for him takinghis 400th wicket. The wicket looks good for batting but it should startspinning by the second or third day and may crack later because of theheat.”The affable off-spinner, famous for his piercing eyes and a partially bentlocked elbow that creates the illusion of his arm straightening at the pointof delivery, has not fully recovered from ligament damage caused by hisfinger being dislocated in the second Test, but there is no question of himnot playing, even if the injury will handicap him in the field.Unsurprisingly, Jayasuriya is prepared to swap a few fumbles for hisprodigiously turning off-breaks. “He is recovering fast from the injury andimproving day by day but we will still have to manage him carefully andmight have to hide him a little in the field,” he said.Despite having taken 51 wickets in seven matches at Galle, Muralitharan isbeing typically cautious: “I have not been thinking about it much really.Hopefully, though, I can get there in this game if I bowl well, but thenthere is no guarantee in cricket.” But, already, his eyes are fixed ongreater achievements: “I really want to take 500 Test wickets and, beingjust 29, I have plenty of time to do that.”The omens are not good for Zimbabwe with a confidant Sri Lankan team closingin on a clean sweep at a venue where they look as formidable as the sturdyDutch Fort that forms such a spectacular backdrop to the stadium.The hosts have won their last four games here and boast an attack wellsuited to the conditions. In contrast, the visitors lack self-belief and afrontline spinner on a pitch that is going to offer the pace bowlers noencouragement whatsoever.Stuart Carlisle, speaking before the final team practice, said: “We are looking for a much improved team performance but it’s going to be a real challenge on a pitch that looks like it will turn a lot. The mood is a little bit down after three months away but this is an important Test and the guys know they are playing for their places on the India tour.”Zimbabwe have already released opening batsman Hamilton Masakadza andwicket-keeper Tatendra Taibu for the Under-19 World Cup in New Zealand andwill be picking the final team from a 12-man squad. Medium pacer Gary Brentlooks likely to be left out.Sri Lanka are set to make one change with leg-spinner Upul Chandana cominginto the side in place of Nuwan Zoysa who could have played but is sufferingfor a groin niggle.Further experimentation has been ruled out. “We discussed making changes butwhat we wanted to get all the players in good form. People like RusselArnold, who has a big role to play in Sri Lankan cricket, need someconfidence. We are going to England and we will have a chance of playingsome youngsters in the early games,” said Jayasuriya.Sri Lanka:Sanath Jayasuriya (capt), Marvan Atapattu, Mahela Jayawardene, RusselArnold, Kumar Sangakkara, Hashan Tillakaratne, Thilan Samaraweera, UpulChandana, Muttiah Muralitharan, Chaminda Vaas, Nuwan Zoysa, CharithaFernando, Ruchira PereraZimbabwe:Stuart Carlisle (Capt), Heath Streak, Grant Flower, Andy Flower, DionEbrahim, Trevor Gripper, Craig Wishart, Gavin Rennie, Douglas Marillier,Gary Brent, Travis Friend, Henry Olonga