Interesting day's cricket ahead

We've just waved goodbye to the glorious Test career of Muttiah Muralitharan, who with his last ball took his 800th wicket -- a total which may well never be matched, with Tests likely to grow less common in future. No current bowler has more than 350 or so, and those who are up in that region are already towards the end of their careers. Even nore impressively, he took five in an innings 67 times -- almost twice what any other bowler has managed. 77 of his wickets, including the last, were caught by Mahela Jayawardene -- another record.

I think it's pretty pointless to debate whether X was "the greatest ever", as context is everything -- Murali took a lot of his wickets against weak teams, and on helpful pitches -- but he pretty much single-handedly sustained his country's bowling attack over a long period, whereas Shane Warne for example had the great advantage of Glenn McGrath and co operating alongside. Without Murali it's difficult to believe Sri Lanka could have been competitive. And, more importantly I think, the way he bowled -- his attitude, expressions, variations, and mix of tremendous combativeness with disarming charm -- enlivened world cricket in a way that only a handful per generation manage.

So Sri Lanka thrashed India in that match, but over here an interesting contest is developing between Pakistan and Australia. Having been bowled out for a pitiful 88 first time round, the Australians are fighting back, and as I write are 14 behind with three second-innings wickets down. A few months ago they beat Pakistan having been 206 behind on first innings -- and clearly haven't given up hopes of a comparable feat here. For the sake of cricket generally, though, I would like to see Pakistan score a heavy victory -- their morale desperately needs it.

Closer to home, I expect at least one of you will be watching events on the last day at Chelmsford as keenly as me. Essex currently have the upper hand, thanks to a second century in the match from Ravi Bopara -- hopefully Alastair Cook, on 90 overnight, will soon join him in three figures. With Notts having won yesterday, Yorkshire have to take risks and push for victory today, to stay in contention for the Championship. Their batsmen have shown they can score heavily and quickly, so at a small ground like Chelmsford, judging the declaration target is going to be tricky. I wouldn't be happy setting less than 350, and I'd be happy to sacrifice an hour's bowling time for that, as Yorkshire may well lose wickets rashly in the chase. And if the weather's showery like yesterday, that may play a part too... it's going to be interesting!

Edit: Well, it was interesting, but it ended in a draw -- Yorkshire needed 36 more runs, Essex needed 3 more wickets. At one point the Tykes had over half the runs with just two wickets down and a whole session left, and looked like strolling home, but three quick wickets put a spoke in their chase. Honours more or less even, I think.

Interesting day's cricket ahead

We've just waved goodbye to the glorious Test career of Muttiah Muralitharan, who with his last ball took his 800th wicket -- a total which may well never be matched, with Tests likely to grow less common in future. No current bowler has more than 350 or so, and those who are up in that region are already towards the end of their careers. Even nore impressively, he took five in an innings 67 times -- almost twice what any other bowler has managed. 77 of his wickets, including the last, were caught by Mahela Jayawardene -- another record.

I think it's pretty pointless to debate whether X was "the greatest ever", as context is everything -- Murali took a lot of his wickets against weak teams, and on helpful pitches -- but he pretty much single-handedly sustained his country's bowling attack over a long period, whereas Shane Warne for example had the great advantage of Glenn McGrath and co operating alongside. Without Murali it's difficult to believe Sri Lanka could have been competitive. And, more importantly I think, the way he bowled -- his attitude, expressions, variations, and mix of tremendous combativeness with disarming charm -- enlivened world cricket in a way that only a handful per generation manage.

So Sri Lanka thrashed India in that match, but over here an interesting contest is developing between Pakistan and Australia. Having been bowled out for a pitiful 88 first time round, the Australians are fighting back, and as I write are 14 behind with three second-innings wickets down. A few months ago they beat Pakistan having been 206 behind on first innings -- and clearly haven't given up hopes of a comparable feat here. For the sake of cricket generally, though, I would like to see Pakistan score a heavy victory -- their morale desperately needs it.

Closer to home, I expect at least one of you will be watching events on the last day at Chelmsford as keenly as me. Essex currently have the upper hand, thanks to a second century in the match from Ravi Bopara -- hopefully Alastair Cook, on 90 overnight, will soon join him in three figures. With Notts having won yesterday, Yorkshire have to take risks and push for victory today, to stay in contention for the Championship. Their batsmen have shown they can score heavily and quickly, so at a small ground like Chelmsford, judging the declaration target is going to be tricky. I wouldn't be happy setting less than 350, and I'd be happy to sacrifice an hour's bowling time for that, as Yorkshire may well lose wickets rashly in the chase. And if the weather's showery like yesterday, that may play a part too... it's going to be interesting!

Edit: Well, it was interesting, but it ended in a draw -- Yorkshire needed 36 more runs, Essex needed 3 more wickets. At one point the Tykes had over half the runs with just two wickets down and a whole session left, and looked like strolling home, but three quick wickets put a spoke in their chase. Honours more or less even, I think.