During his final Test match, Muttiah Muralitharan showed the world that at even at 38, he still has what it takes to bowl his country to victory.
India sat comfortably at 3-140 during the first Test in Galle after Sri Lanka scored 520-8 dec. and the second day was washed out. The match appeared to be petering out to another tame draw when Muralitharan finally began to weave his magic, snaring 5-63 as India were bowled out for an inconceivable 276 and forced to follow on.
Lasith Malinga impressed on his return to Test cricket, taking 5-50 during the Indian second innings but all eyes were on "Murali" as he strove to become the first man to take 800 wickets.
He then completed a remarable tri fecta- he became the only man in the history of Test cricket to take 800 wickets, took a wicket with his final ball and ended the Indian innings. The final wicket also held significance for his long-time captain, Mahela Jayawardene, who held a low catch at first slip. A world record 67 of Muralitharan's wickets read:
c.Jayawardene b. Muralitharan.
There could have been no better end for a truly remarkable cricketer.
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