Sportstar Interview | Muttiah Muralidaran

Rex Clementine speaks to the World record holder Muttiah Muralidaran, originally published in The Sports Star Magazine.

"Was it disappointing not to have got the record in Australia?

It was disappointing, not just the record but we were badly beaten in that series. I thought the Australians played really well and they deserved to win. I also had a few catches put down and it didn’t help the cause. More than the record, what I was concerned about was helping the team win a Test there as we had the nucleus to do it this time around. The defeat taught us a few lessons and I am sure we’ll be a better side for the experience."

"Tell us about that dismissal of Paul Collingwood in the first innings to break the record.

I was surprised that it happened in the first innings itself. I equaled the record on day two with four wickets. I was a bit nervous that day and bowled about nine overs without taking a wicket. Then the new ball was due and Mahela (Jayawardene) wanted me to bowl with the new ball. I bowled an off-spinner to Paul Collingwood, but it didn’t spin and he was bowled. That probably skidded off the pitch. I was very relieved to get the record. There was some pressure and it was good it all happened in the first innings."