Well it kicked off with the Murali show in Galle. A glorious finale to a glorious career, although Mali almost stole the show. I was so chuffed when Murali took the last wicket, and to get a five-for in his last Test.
Some of his world records, most Test wickets and most 5-fors will never be beaten. His record for most ODI wickets will also never be beaten if T20 continues to thrive. But if it implodes there is a chance that someone will take more ODI wickets than Murali in the future. I enjoyed the tributes, coverage and spate of Murali articles in the cricket press.
Galle: we won by ten wickets inside 4 days (no play in day 2). Tons for Paranavitana and Sanga in first innings, Herath and Malinga getting PB's and big half centuries and Dilly blasting off the little target in the 2nd before we lost a wicket. Mali and Murali bowled brilliantly.
SSC: sadly the flat pitch negated all chance of a result, together with Bhaji and Zak and Sree and Mali all missing and Murali retired! Absolute runfest with Sanga and Sachin getting double tons and only 2 and a bit innings in 5 whole days of play.
Premadasa: this third Test (4 days in as I write) has been a cracker. India had an 11 run lead after the first innings, thanks to their wagging tail of Mithun and Mishra. Then I woke up early today (6.00) to check the score and went back to bed gutted, night watchman Randiv and Mahela had both gone already and we were fifty some for 4. When I woke again it was even worse, we were about 90-7, it looked like India would have all but won by stumps. Sammy was running out of partners. I was grumpy and tired from waking up before (I've been doing this the whole series). But Malinga stuck around to share a 38 run partnership. And then Mendo, the little beauty, hit a PB of 78 in his first half century and shared a century stand with Sammy. Laughing and grinning with every boundary hit or bouncer survived. Had his team mates dancing and the crowd cheering and laughing with his antics. Then hilariously played the mentor to Welegedera, refusing singles and walking down the track to advise him. It was jokes. Anyway we got a lead of 250+ when it really looked like we were on for a 150 lead. took 3 wickets before stumps too, including Viru who could gobble any target if you don't get him early. A quickfire 80 from Viru would have left us half-fucked. Anyway, I'm gonna watch the hichlights now and definitely getting up at 6 tomorrow and stayign up to follow this humdinger of a Test reach its conclusion.
Some of his world records, most Test wickets and most 5-fors will never be beaten. His record for most ODI wickets will also never be beaten if T20 continues to thrive. But if it implodes there is a chance that someone will take more ODI wickets than Murali in the future. I enjoyed the tributes, coverage and spate of Murali articles in the cricket press.
Galle: we won by ten wickets inside 4 days (no play in day 2). Tons for Paranavitana and Sanga in first innings, Herath and Malinga getting PB's and big half centuries and Dilly blasting off the little target in the 2nd before we lost a wicket. Mali and Murali bowled brilliantly.
SSC: sadly the flat pitch negated all chance of a result, together with Bhaji and Zak and Sree and Mali all missing and Murali retired! Absolute runfest with Sanga and Sachin getting double tons and only 2 and a bit innings in 5 whole days of play.
Premadasa: this third Test (4 days in as I write) has been a cracker. India had an 11 run lead after the first innings, thanks to their wagging tail of Mithun and Mishra. Then I woke up early today (6.00) to check the score and went back to bed gutted, night watchman Randiv and Mahela had both gone already and we were fifty some for 4. When I woke again it was even worse, we were about 90-7, it looked like India would have all but won by stumps. Sammy was running out of partners. I was grumpy and tired from waking up before (I've been doing this the whole series). But Malinga stuck around to share a 38 run partnership. And then Mendo, the little beauty, hit a PB of 78 in his first half century and shared a century stand with Sammy. Laughing and grinning with every boundary hit or bouncer survived. Had his team mates dancing and the crowd cheering and laughing with his antics. Then hilariously played the mentor to Welegedera, refusing singles and walking down the track to advise him. It was jokes. Anyway we got a lead of 250+ when it really looked like we were on for a 150 lead. took 3 wickets before stumps too, including Viru who could gobble any target if you don't get him early. A quickfire 80 from Viru would have left us half-fucked. Anyway, I'm gonna watch the hichlights now and definitely getting up at 6 tomorrow and stayign up to follow this humdinger of a Test reach its conclusion.
