Grand farewell for Murali at Galle but not tailor-made pitch

Colombo:

Sri Lanka Cricket (SLC) has planned a grand farewell for Muttiah Muralitharan, who will play his swansong Test against India from Sunday, but will not prepare a tailor-made pitch to assist the spin wizard.

He is just eight wickets shy of touching the magical 800-wicket and SLC officials say Murali does not need a pitch suiting his style as he can strike on any pitch.

Curtains will fall on a dazzling international career which saw Murali becoming highest wicket-taker in Tests well as in One-dayers.

The cricket authorities have invited all former Test skippers to witness the Test and has even formulated a special Muralitharan Farewell Committee to oraganise the show.

"We are planning to give him a good send-off and we will ensure that the event is memorable," SLC secretary Nishantha Ranatunga told PTI.

Murali is capable of striking in any pitch, Ranatunga said when asked if a pitch assisting Murali will be laid.

SLC will organise a brief event before the commencement of the first Test and a grand felicitation at the end of the match.

According to officials, the 38 year old bowler will be welcomed by the local bands from Galle District when he will enter the stadium on the first day.

All former chairmen and secretaries of the board have been invited to witness the farewell Test match and the Galle cricket ground is being spruced up for the occasion.