Cricket has been an integral part of Muttiah Muralitharan for over two decades now
Cricket has been an integral part of Muttiah Muralitharan for over two decades now. It's probably why the Sri Lanka spin wizard, who bid Test cricket goodbye in fairytale style on Thursday, couldn't visit the institution he studied in.
Rev Fr Stephen Abraham (78), who was principal of St Anthony's college, Kandy now hopes for a visit by Murali.
"In spite of repeated requests, he has not come to see me. Maybe he was too busy but since he has retired from the Test cricket, I am hoping to catch up with him soon," said the priest.
"Murali joined us in 1979, my first year as principal. He left two years before I retired. He was an average student. He came from the business family (who owned a biscuit factory) and was not interested in academics.
Murali didn't go to the university level. However, after 'O' Level, he was qualified to take up 'A' Level Arts and Commerce," said Fr Abraham.
"Sports has been part of the Antonian culture. Our institution produced two good cricketers at school level -- Jack Anderson scored heavily and Murali grabbed most wickets at the school level. We won eight out of the 13 Bata Observer Trophy tournaments," he added.
The writer is a freelancer
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