By Neena Bhandari, IANS
Sydney : Australia and Sri Lanka will be battling for a new trophy named in honour of the two highest wicket-takers in world cricket history – Shane Warne of Australia and Muttiah Muralitharan of Sri Lanka.
Cricket Australia and Sri Lanka Cricket announced the Warne-Muralitharan trophy Saturday for the Test series beginning Nov 8 at the Gabba in Brisbane to celebrate the 25th anniversary of Australia-Sri Lanka Test cricket.
The trophy features casts of Warne and Muralitharan’s right hands and cricket balls used by both players.
The two great spinners, who have taken more than 1,400 Test wickets between them, will unveil the trophy before the second Test in Hobart, Tasmania.
Shane Warne said he felt very proud to be sharing this honour with his fellow spin king Muralitharan. “We’ve had some great battles in the past and helped raise each other’s game to the heights that we’ve reached.
“Personally, Sri Lanka means something special to me. It was where I first achieved success as a Test bowler and it also moved me when I saw the courage with which the people of Sri Lanka responded to the tragic tsunami during my visit there immediately afterwards.”
“I have enormous respect for Shane Warne and I consider it a great honour to have a trophy named after both of us,” Muralitharan said, adding: “Australia also gave me one of my most memorable moments when I played at the MCG (Melbourne Cricket Ground) in the tsunami fund raiser.”
Cricket Australia Chief Executive Officer James Sutherland said: “Both Shane and Muttiah have broken the 700-wicket barrier and inspired young cricketers around the world to try their hands at spin bowling.
“We think it’s a fitting tribute to both players by naming the perpetual Australia versus Sri Lanka Test series trophy after them. The inception of this trophy is yet another step in celebrating the wonderful history between both nations while continuing to build its stature in the years to come,” Sutherland added.
Echoing the same sentiments, Sri Lanka Cricket Chief Executive Officer Duleep Mendis said: “We are proud of the rivalry between our nation and Australia and think this trophy will help add to the sense of occasion every time we do battle.”
Meanwhile, Cricket Australia’s National Selection Panel (NSP) Saturday announced that Shaun Tait, suffering elbow soreness, has been ruled out of the Australian squad for the first Test against Sri Lanka and replaced by Tasmania fast bowler Ben Hilfenhaus.