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Murali the key factor again
There is no questioning that Sri Lanka's every International cricketing success at test level has had the influence of Muttiah Muralitharan. A rumor floats around that some batsmen, even some teams have got the measure as the champion off spinner.
It is only natural that when you play against a bowler many times , when you watch him bowling on the TV ever so regularly, a player could work out strategies of how to play that bowler better doing so in another matter.

Tracing his career which began in 1991, it could be said that he is now at the peak of his bowling prowess At 31 years of age he has a completely mature spin bowling mind and body to add to that he has the experience of capturing a truck load of wickets at every level of the game. Murali's bowling consists of two main deliveries.

The off spinner and the off spinner, one spins into the right hand batsman and the other goes away sounds pretty simple! what makes his bowling so difficult is the amount of spin he gets off the ptich often the top spinner curves off the pitch like a leg break. The mere sight of Murali makes many batsman get rooted to the crease. That is the cardinal error of playing the maestro.

The batsman who has consistency played Muralitharan well is Brian Lara who has played him fealessly and attacked whenever possible. It has been a combination of all the batting requirements when playing spin bowlers. Initially it is a matter of judgement - leave the ball, play on the front foot, play on the back foot, step out to the pitch of the ball, Lara was almost perfect in his judgement.

Then decide when to attack and when to defend never to premeditate but play each delivery according to its merits, play the sweep than bat again, do not be a slave to it.
In an interview recently, The Wisden Asia Magazine had this to say of bowling to a good play of spin :"

Batsman want runs. They are happy when they are scoring, and tense when they are'nt. In the modern game there is a lot of pressure to perform. Batsmen need runs and you have to stop them scoring its as simple as that. That's why I love bowling in tandem with Chaminda Vaas together we can build up the through simple, tight bowling. Variations may fox the odd batsman , but they don't buy you wickets all the time.

It is also important to respect a batsman. Don't respect someone and you can get into trouble Over confidence or arrogance is just as dangerous for a bwler as it is for a batsman You must always think he is a good player while at the same time believing you can be better That ensures that you perform to your best ".

There is no doubt that the combination of the vastly experienced Vaas and Muralitharan will be booking forward to performing at their best against the Englishman They employed some blunting tactics of batting on off stump when playing Muralitharan during the last series in this country It did work in the second and third tests They will have a play and Murali will have to have the answers.

Vaas discovered reverse swing an year ago against the West Indians and Zimbabweans. He wrought havoc then his supporting role will be of absolute importance. Murali has to remain this star performer Twenty five wickets from him in the three tests and Sri Lanka will be triumphant!

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