Sri Lanka captain Kumar Sangakkara said he was hopeful Muttiah Muralitharan would feature in Saturday's World Cup final and admitted that the veteran off-spinner was feeling upbeat in the dressing room.
Published: Apr 01, 2011, 02:28 PM (IST)
Edited: Apr 01, 2011, 02:28 PM (IST)
Sri Lanka captain Kumar Sangakkara said he was hopeful Muttiah Muralitharan would feature in Saturday’s World Cup final
Mumbai: Apr 1, 2011
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Sri Lanka captain Kumar Sangakkara said he was hopeful Muttiah Muralitharan would feature in Saturday’s World Cup final and admitted that the veteran off-spinner was feeling upbeat in the dressing room.
Muralitharan, the world’s leading Test and one-day bowler, who turns 38 this month, has been struggling with hamstring and knee injuries and has been rated as a doubt for the final against India, his last match before retirement.
“Everyone understands in our dressing room it is hard to shut Murali up, whatever his mood is,” said Sangakkara. He’s pretty upbeat, he’s always talking, laughing and annoying most of the other players in the dressing room. Today has been no different.
“It is great to have him in the side, great to hopefully have him tomorrow and play this World Cup final with us. Whatever happens, we want to play for him and play for each other and do the best we can do.”
Sri Lanka also have a doubt over all-rounder Angelo Mathews (side strain).
The islanders have flown in off-spinner Suraj Randiv and veteran seamer Chaminda Vaas to cover for the injured duo, but they are still not officially eligible to play.
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