01.03.2008
Rex Clementine reporting from Melbourne

Very rarely do you see a guard of honour for a sportsman, especially in cricket, where the run of play has denied even the best of batsmen and bowlers one. But on Friday, at the MCG, there were three guards of honour for some of the all time greats of cricket.

First, the Australians did it as Sanath Jayasuriya walked into bat and a rush of wickets towards the end of Sri Lanka’s innings allowed them to stage another for Muttiah Muralitharan, and later, the Sri Lankans paid back the complement when they applauded Adam Gilchrist all the way to the crease.

But the one that was most heart-warming was the one that was accorded to Muralitharan, who was booed, jeered and no-balled at this massive ground some 13 years ago.

As a 23-year-old rookie, Muralitharan was called for throwing by controversial umpire Darrel Hair on Boxing Day in 1995 and yesterday, when the Australians stood up and applauded the off-spinner as he walked into bat, it was almost as if saying sorry for all their ‘atrocities’.

Since then, Murali has been no-balled on two other separate instances here in Australia, had been labeled a chucker by then Australian Prime Minister John Howard in 2004 and the very next day, the bowler told this newspaper that he would never tour Australia again.

He kept to his word and boycotted Sri Lanka’s tour of this country in 2004, but a magnanimous gesture by the Australian board and the public to collect funds for the victims of the December 26 Tsunami disaster made him overturn his decision.

That reconciliation helped both parties go a long way and Cricket Australia this summer introduced the Warne-Muralitharan trophy and henceforth, all Tests played between the countries will be played for this trophy.

Muralitharan last December became the highest wicket taker in the world, surpassing Shane Warne and at the age of 35, is unlikely to tour Australia again.

Courtesy - The Island