Asian
tsunami charity match a huge sellout
Murali gets green light Down Under
By S.R. Pathiravithana in Melbourne
Unlike the previous occasions the champion Sri Lanka
spinner Muttiah Muralitharan is one of the most welcome guests Down
Under for the Asian Tsunami Charity match which is already a huge
sell out. The match will be against the Asian Xl vs the Rest of
the World which will be played at the MCG tomorrow (Monday).
Muralitharan
who previously said that he intended not playing in Australia and
skipped Sri Lanka's previous two Test tour of Australia last June
broke his self imposed ban to come out for this worthy cause which
has held entire world agape. Muralitharan who was also out of the
game through injury will be making his international comeback at
this game.
First
it was the Australian Test leg spinner Shane Warne (who also has
come out of a self imposed ODI retirement to take part in this game)
came out welcoming the Lankan off spinner. He said "The charity
match is a fantastic way for the World cricket community to show
its support for the tsunami victims".
Then
Warne also added "I have another favour for our sports loving
community. Make sure that Murali receive a warm welcome from all
Australian cricket fans at the MCG. It's not the time or the place
to be vocal towards the great Sri Lankan spinner. Personally I will
seek out Murali at some stage on Monday and offer help".
English
fast bowler Darren Gough the lone England rep in the Rest of the
World team was another man moved. He said "After watching TV
and seeing Muttaih Muralitharan giving out food parcels to the victims
of Tsunami, and if he comes out to bat number eleven and the Asian
Xl had one run to get I may possibly give it."
Gough
could have been in the devastated area, had he decided to take the
Christmas holiday. He said " Air Malaysia is one my sponsors,
so I get my holidays there."
The
World Cricket authority dispelled any doubt about the competitive
edge about the game yesterday when it gave the ODI status to this
game. The ICC Executive Board endorsed the move to ensure the scores
and records stand.
The
second charity match will be played in either Sri Lanka or India
next month. South African Rudi Koertzen and Kiwi Billy Bowden will
stand at this game. Meanwhile Sachin Tendulkar and Sohaib Aktar
pulled out of the game through injury. |