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Muttiah Muralitharan Test Statistical Review 07/12/2007
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Muttiah Muralitharan
took 6/55 and 3/85 in the recent Test against England at Asgirya Stadium in a match commencing on the 1st December 2007. It took his aggregate to 713 wickets, and surpassed the existing world record of 708 for most wickets held by Shane Warne (AUS)
See Players taking 300 Career Wickets
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I have listed below some of his statistical achievements.
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Lowest average of current player who has taken 100 or more wickets–21.7
See Players taking 50 Wickets at an Average of 25.00 or Less
The only other Right Arm Off Spin bowler with over 100 Test wickets who has a comparable average to Muralitharan is Jim Laker (ENG), who took 193 wickets at an average of 21.25.
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Average of under 23.5 against seven countries.
See Performances by Opponent at All Grounds
Only his averages against Australia (36.0) and India (32.4) were significantly below his overall average of 21.7.
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Most hauls of five wickets or more in an Innings–61.
See Players taking 300 Career Wickets
Shane Warne (AUS) is the nearest with 37.
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Most hauls of ten wickets or more in a match–20.
See Players taking 300 Career Wickets
Shane Warne (AUS) is the nearest with 9.
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One of five bowlers to have taken 16 wickets in a match, and has taken twelve wickets or more in a match on six occasions.
See Players taking 12 Wickets in a Match
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Has taken 50 wickets or more in a calendar year on six occasions.
See Players 50 Wickets in a Calendar Year
Only Shane Warne (AUS) has achieved it more often.(8)
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Has taken most career wickets in the first innings of the match – 216
See Players taking Most Career Wickets in First Innings of the Match
Sir Richard Hadlee (NZL) is the nearest with 194.
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Has the second best economy rate of current bowlers - 2.41
See Most Economiclal Bowlers
Only Shaun Pollock (SAF) is marginally better with an economy rate of 2.39.
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One of five players to have taken 30 wickets in a 3 Test series.- 30 wickets at 9.8 v ZIM in 2001/02.
See Players taking 20 Wickets in a 3 Test Series
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Only player to take over 100 wickets on a ground, and has achieved this twice - 143 at Sinhalese Sports Club, and 117 at Asgiriya Stadium.
See Performances in Sri Lanka Versus All Countries
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His performances when playing at home are significantly better than when playing away. He has taken 441 wickets at an average of 19.05 when playing at home, and 272 wickets at an average of 26.0 when playing away.
See Analysis of Performances at Home and Away
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Muralitharan’s dismissal statistics reveal that he dismissed M V Boucher (SAF) 12 times, and G W Flower (ZIM) 10 times. However, his record against batsmen with an average of 50+, shows that he has had most success against Mohammad Yousuf (PAK) who he dismissed 9 times, and J H Kallis (SAF) who he dismissed 6 times.
See Analysis of Dismissals Bowling Against All Countries
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The dismissal graph indicates that most of his dismissals are caught – 47.7% which is typical for most Right Arm Off Spin bowlers. Lance Gibbs (WIN) had 52.8% of his dismissals caught.
See Graphical Analysis of Dismissals Bowling Against All Countries
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The wickets taken by batting order graph indicates that most of his dismissals are taken in the middle order (4-7) -42.6%, with 31.7% in the tail, (8-11), and 25.6% in the top order (1-3).
See Graphical Analysis of Wickets Taken by Batting Order
It is typical for Spin Bowlers to take the highest proportion of their wickets in the middle order. Notable comparisons are:
L R Gibbs (WIN)- 44.0%, S K Warne (AUS) -39.8%, Harbhajan Singh (IND) – 38.6%, Saqlain Mushtaq (PAK) – 37.0%/.
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Muralitharan and D P M Jayawardene currently hold the record for the most successful Bowler/Fielder combination with 63 dismissals.
See Top Bowler/Fielder Combinations
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Some of his lesser achievements.
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Conceded 200 runs in an innings – 2/224 against Australia at the WACA in 95/96.
See Players Conceding 200 Runs in an Innings
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Took 0/100+ on two occasions – 0/136 v NZL in 1996/97, and 0/137 v IND in 1997/98.
See Players Conceding 100 runs in an Innings without Taking a Wicket
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Averages 75.4 (12 wickets) when bowling in Australia.
See Performances in Sri Lanka Versus All Countries
However, nearly all the best Right Arm Off Spin bowlers struggle in Australia.
L R Gibbs (WIN) - 309 wickets at 29.09, but 59 wickets at 33.3 in Australia.
Harbhajan Singh (IND) -246 wickets at 30.04, but 1 wicket at 169.0 in Australia.
Saqlain Mushtaq (PAK)- 208 wickets at 29.84, but 14 wickets at 34.14 in Australia.
The only notable exception is J C Laker (ENG) - 193 wickets at 21.25, but 15 wickets at 21.2 in Australia.
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Summary.
Muralitharan’s performances during a fifteen year Test career have attracted a lot of controversy and discussion. However, when he retires, his final tally of wickets is likely to stand for at least 2 – 3 decades, as currently there are no 20 – 22 year old bowlers who look likely to challenge his record.
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