Murali recaptures world record

Sri Lanka off-spinner Muttiah Muralitharan has recaptured sole ownership of the world record for the most wickets in Test Match cricket, even as a panstaking 85* from Jacques Rudolph put South Africa in almost even position as their opponents at the end of Day 3 of the first Test between the two sides. Muralitharan went past 528 wickets, where he was level with Aussie leg-spinner Shane Warne, by picking up Martin van Jaarsveld's wicket, caught at slip.

Resuming at 82 without loss in reply to the host's first innings scoe of 486, South Africa didn't get off to the best of starts losing both the openers within the first hour of play, before the two Jacques' - Kallis and Rudolph - came together for a 72-run third wicket stand to resurrect the innings.

Kallis was effective the most against Muralitharan as he applied slog sweeps successfully against the offie. However, it was the latter who had the final say, as he had the all-rounder caught at mid-wicket to Kumar Sangakkara off the same shot for an aggressively made 59. Skipper Greame Smith, who for some reason had pushed him down the order, didn't look his own self as he struggled to a 23, before being trapped in front of the stumps by Jayasuriya, who by the end of the day was the pick of the Sri Lanka bowlers.

Wicket-keeper Mark Boucher was also picked up by Jayasuriya caught behind to Romesh Kaluwitharana, reducing the visitors to 225 for 5, at a critical postition, where follow-on was a distinct possibility. Shaun Pollock and Rudolph however made sure that Sri Lanka are denied that leisure, negotiating with the new ball to perfection. Pollock did eventually get out, to Chamida Vaas, off a peach of the delivery, but by that time South Africa were just past the follow-on score.

Lance Klusener, playing his first test since 2002, didn't last too long, as he was removed by Tilakratne Dilshan, who's developing into a wicket-taking part-time bowler, for 2. Nicky Boje ensured that South Africa aren't complete underdogs going into the fourth day, by putting up an unbeated half century partnership with Rudolph, who ended the day at 85*. Boje finished with 31*, with South Africa still 139 runs behind, but still almost even with the hosts.

Sri Lanka (1st innings) 486 all out
DPMD Jayawardene 237, WPUJC Vaas 69, SM Pollock 48/4, M Hayward 81/3
South Africa (1st innings) 347 for 7
JA Rudolph 85*, JH Kallis 59, ST Jayasuriya 34/2

South Africa trail by 139 runs with 3 wickets remaining in the 1st innings.

Posted by Sudeep