Muralitharan warns West Indies that he is only warming up

Charlie Austin

November 14, 2001

Sri Lankan off-spinner Muttiah Muralitharan inspired a dramatic West Indian collapse on the second day of the opening Test in Galle and then warned the tourists that they are yet to see him at his best.

Muralitharan, who has been working hard in the nets on a new mystery delivery designed to counteract pad-thrusting batsmen, claimed 5-21 in the day to finish with 6-125, as West Indies lost their last six wickets for 25.

"Initially, it was tough, as Brian Lara, Ramnaresh Sarwan and Carl Hooper played really well on a really good batting track," he said afterwards, clearly delighted with the turnaround, which had pulled the home team back into the game.

"But we always thought that if we could get Lara we could get the other wickets quickly, as they had some inexperienced batsmen to come.

The 29-year-old off-spinner, who has now taken 356 Test wickets in only 67 matches, has been receiving ice-treatment on a sore shoulder.

"I did have a little shoulder injury, which I picked up whilst doing weights," he said. "I had stopped bowling in the nets and struggled in Sharjah.

"Gradually, I started to bowl again. During the first day my rhythm was not quite there, but today it was coming out really nicely. Hopefully, it will get better and better as the series progresses."

Muralitharan, ever the optimist, believes Sri Lanka can still win despite the West Indies piling up 448 in their first innings.

"Unfortunately, Lara got a big one, but this is a batting wicket and still we can get a result if we can make a big score. By the fourth and fifth day the ball is going to spin a long way."

He is particularly looking forward to having another crack at Lara.

"It is a pleasure to bowl at Brian (Lara)," he said "He is such a wonderful player. Unlike other players he doesn't have any restrictions and can play shots all-round the wicket, so it is always a challenge to bowl at him.

First round to Lara after the Trinidadian superstar smashed a brilliant 178, but Muralitharan warned him: "As a bowler I have an advantage. I can make several mistakes, but if a batsman makes one then he is finished and I win."

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Series/Tournaments

West Indies tour of Sri Lanka

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Sri Lanka

West Indies