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Murali's magic

Ball-by-ball details of the seven magical deliveries Muttiah Muralitharan bowled to Simon Katich and Adam Gilchrist

Anand Vasu
Anand Vasu
16-Oct-2005
Muttiah Muralitharan, bowling in a Test in Australia after nearly ten years, produced a mesmerising spell that bamboozled Simon Katich and Adam Gilchrist. Cricinfo brings you the ball-by-ball commentary of those magical seven balls.


Muttiah Muralitharan teased, tormented and finally terminated Simon Katich's innings with a crafty spell © Getty Images
48.1 Muttiah Muralitharan to Simon Katich, no run, tossed up, outside the off, a fair bit of turn, Katich comes down the pitch but is beaten comprehensively in the air and off the pitch, Boucher is as clueless as Katich and a straightforward stumping is missed.
48.2 Muralitharan to Katich, no run, this spits out of the pitch, what a ball! No chance for Katich.
48.3 Muralitharan to Katich, no run, and another! this is an amazing bit of bowling, three fantastic deliveries in a row and Katich is well and truly flummoxed.
48.4 Muralitharan to Katich, OUT: tossed up, this one is the offbreak, Katich tries to work the ball to the on side but closes the face of the bat early and the leading edge loops back down the pitch, Murali dives forward and takes the return catch! That is an outstanding piece of bowling from Muttiah Muralitharan, the man truly is a genius.
48.5 Muralitharan to Shane Watson, no run, doosra first up to Watson who defends tentatively and misses, hit on the pad.
48.6 Muralitharan to Watson, one run, offbreak this time, slipping down leg, worked to fine-leg.
50.1 Muralitharan to Gilchrist, OUT: The magician strikes again! Murali gets one to turn, bounce, kiss the outside edge and Kallis pouches the catch at slip. This is pure magic from one of the great spinners of all time.

Anand Vasu is assistant editor of Cricinfo