Test cricket's two leading wicket takers Muttiah Muralitharan and Shane Warne, put aside their off the field confrontations and unveiled the perpetual trophy named after them at the Bellerive Oval, Hobart here in Tasmania yesterday. The unveiling followed a series of off the field verbals where Warne called Muralitharan to be tested in match situations for a suspect bowling action and the Sri Lankan hit back saying Warne was a miserable man, who envied him going pass the World Record.

But less than 24 hours after the spat, they seemed to have patched up and arrived at the venue to unveil the trophy in the same vehicle accompanied by Cricket Australia's Head of Communications Peter Young and Srian Samararatne, the Manager of the Sri Lankan team. The trophy was unveiled at the President's Suite at the Bellerive Oval and will be presented to the winners of the series and will become a regular series like the Ashes between Australia and England and Sir Frank Worrell Trophy played between Australia and the West Indies.

The hands that are in the trophy were carved after the players were asked to put their hands into a brace and the balls the two hands are holding were used during Warne's and Muralitharan's Test careers.

Cricket Australia's Chairman Creagh O'Connor was present at the occasion and said Cricket Australia was pleased to introduce a trophy after two great bowlers of the sport.

The two players spoke to the media on various issues before the photo opportunity. Here are the excerpts.

On a trophy being named after them.

Murali:

I feel it's a great honour. Our careers started at almost the same time and we have gone through so much over the years. But to overcome all those problems and to have a trophy named after us is really great. I am thrilled and I am happy for Warne too.

Warne

To be very frank, I am very proud and I am sure Murali is too. We have both taken 700 wickets and I am sure we have given some special moments for the cricket loving public.

On their outbursts prior to the unveiling of the trophy

Murali

There aren't any issues at all between us. I thought he had said something about my action and then I responded, but I realized that there was some miscommunication. I am not bothered to do read newspapers here as every time I pick up one, a picture of my bowling will be there with some comments. I watched news this morning and I saw what I said appearing in the news. I was surprised to see it in the sky news as I didn't speak to them and I don't know how sky news came into the picture. We just had a
chat about it and realized that there had been some miscommunication and I apologized to Warney.

Warne

I didn't read about whatever that appeared in the paper, but I heard about it this morning. I don't think I am looking miserable at the moment. All Isaid in my column is that common sense should prevail and if anyone has any issues with the action of someone he should be tested in match conditions. Before you all jump the gun, I don't have any issues with Murali's action whatsoever. I am not trying to keep on attacking Murali. I have nothing personal with him. We are very good friends. When the tsunami hit Sri Lanka, I asked Murali what I can do. He said come over here and help. We went and distributed pencils, colouring and so many other stuff and the kids were thrilled to see us. If you remember reading, I said that Murali will be sick and tired of all the testing and I said that it's up to him and not to the ICC. If you all (the press) want to sensationalize, here's your lead for tomorrow mate.

Which opposition is the toughest to bowl to for a spinner?

Murali:

Australians have improved the art of playing spin bowling. In the 1990s,it wasn't tough for us to bowl, as they were not very good players of spin. But now they have improved remarkably. If you take someone like Ricky Ponting, when he first played in Sri Lanka he had no idea about spin bowling. But after that he learned a lot. In that series against Australia at home in 2004 I took 27 wickets, but that came after I conceded lot of runs. That's the best series I have been involved in. We were beaten 3-0, but it was tough cricket. The other team I would say that plays spin well is India.

Warne

The 1998 tour to India was the hardest. Sidhu and Tendulkar in that tour just went after me. Then a few years later, VV.S. Laxman had a good series. The best individual players off leg-spin bowling for me are Lara and Tenduklkar.

How do you rate each other?

Murali:

I love to watch Shane bowling. If I am not playing cricket and if I have some free time when Australia play, I always watch how he bowls. The most interesting thing about him is how he curves the ball. Curving is the hardest part and Shane had the ability to do that. First time I saw him he was inexperienced, but he still managed to curve a lot. He got dropped after the second Test and afterwards when he bowled against the West Indies he was an improved bowler. His cricket knowledge is great and if I had that cricket knowledge I would have ended up with 1000 wickets by now. I think he would have made a fantastic Australian captain. Unfortunately he didn't. I played one or two matches in New Zealand for the World team when he captained and he was awesome. He had the ability to think. Off-spin you can pitch the ball and if you can spin the ball, you'll be successful. But with leg-spin everyone will keep on turning you. Accuracy is the most difficult thing and he had that accuracy and he set up people to get wickets and I am learning to set up people. Shane is the greatest bowler to play the game of cricket.

Warne

Thanks Murali. There are lot of people who think that Murali is the greatest bowler too. One of the toughest things in world cricket at the moment is to play Murali. What Murali does with the ball is amazing. When you are facing Murali you are not too sure which way it will go. I always thought that he's an easy fellow to get along with, but he's very cunning. He also has got very many plans. The highlight during the last Test Match for me was watching Murali bowl to Ponting and Clarke as it was a tough contest. I have enjoyed facing him over the years and I must tell you I didn't have a clue which way he turned. You had to watch his hand closely when he delivered the ball, but he still foxed you. The Australian teams have the highest regard for Murali. All the best Murali and enjoy a good one.