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On this day: Muttiah Muralitharan takes 800th wicket with last ever delivery

On this day: Muttiah Muralitharan takes 800th wicket with last ever delivery
© Reuters
Muralitharan claimed 800 victims in 133 Tests.

Having already announced his retirement from the game, Muttiah Muralitharan claimed his 800th Test wicket with his last-ever delivery on July 22, 2010.

In his 133rd and final Test, Murali starred in Sri Lanka's 10-wicket win over India at Galle, with match figures of eight for 191.

No other cricketer has broken the 800 mark before or since, with Shane Warne second on the list, with 708.

Here, the PA news agency takes a look back at the spin bowler's career.

First wicket

Murali Muralitharan took his first wicket aged 20 in 1992
Murali Muralitharan took his first wicket aged 20 in 1992 (Rebecca Naden/PA)

On August 28, 1992, a 20-year-old Murali made his debut against Australia, taking three for 141, with Craig McDermott as his first Test wicket. The Sri Lankan then went on to play a major role in his side's victories over England and New Zealand in 1992 and 1993.

Action called into question

Murali's action was called into question for throwing a number of times during his career
Murali's action was called into question for throwing a number of times during his career (John Giles/PA)

Having been born with a bend in his arm, Murali's action was called into question a number of times during his career. In his 22nd Test match, in 1995 Murali was no-balled by umpire Darrell Hair seven times for a suspect action during the Boxing Day Test match at the MCG, the ICC investigated his action before clearing him. In 2004, his doosra was outlawed after being reported by umpire Chris Broad and undergoing more tests.

Better than Shane Warne?

Muralitharan was often compared with Australian Shane Warne during his career
Muralitharan was often compared with Australian Shane Warne during his career (Gareth Copley/PA)

Arguably the two best spin bowlers ever to have played the game, comparisons have often been drawn between the pair. Murali finished his career with 92 more Test wickets than Shane Warne, with a lower average of 22 compared to the Australian's 25.

Friendship with Andrew Flintoff

Andrew Flintoff and Muralitharan struck up an unlikely friendship while the Sri Lankan played at Lancashire
Andrew Flintoff and Muralitharan struck up an unlikely friendship while the Sri Lankan played at Lancashire (Barry Batchelor/PA)

The pair struck up an unlikely friendship when Murali was playing for Lancashrie alongside the English all-rounder. In fact the duo reportedly had an agreement when if playing against each other, Flintoff would not bowl a bouncer, and Murali in turn would not bowl his doosra.

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