Ranatunga hits back at Warne
A couple of days ago, Warne spoke disparagingly about Murali's wickets, claiming that the only reason Murali got so many was because he played so frequently against Bangladesh and Zimbabwe, while Warne had only played against Zimbabwe once and never against Bangladesh. To me, the small fact that Murali's numbers against opponents other than the minnows are better than Warne's does not however in any way alter the fact that Warne is an all-time great. I assume that Murali, unfortunately caught in the crossfire, will certainly come out with some statement after returning to Sri Lanka. I wonder what the matter of conversation was in these photos
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However, Arjuna Ranatunga is never one to let go an opportunity to shoot from the hip, especially when it comes to Australia and Warne. Speaking to AFP, he questioned Warne's record against India and made it clear that Warne wasn't a role model.
Warne takes a lot of wickets against England, South Africa and New Zealand who generally don't play spin all that well. But take a look at his record against the Indians who play spin best. I am not lying, check the statistics and judge for yourself and you would know who the better spinner is. Warne also gets a lot of tail-end wickets and I have always said that he's an overrated bowler. Question marks will always hover around Warne's performances. After all, he is the one and only Test cricketer banned from the game for taking drugs. Can Warne be a role model for any youngster? How many controversies he's been part of? Warne can never be a role model and I don't want any Sri Lankan youngsters to follow him as a role model.
Labels: murali
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Going by warnes statement wickets against better team must be counted very high. If you consider England and SouthAfrica as better players of "Spin", then warne is surely is the best spinner around.If you consider India then murali ranks higher. We all know which team plays spin better. Warne is lowering himself rather then anyone else!
Murali might not have the best figures against India but his presence has always caused problem for indian batsmen, warne seldom did so.
prashanth: Yes, that is why I don't understand why Warne is putting his foot firmly into his mouth. He doesn't need to prove anything to anyone!
By 
Jagadish (22 Dec 2005, 8:19:00 pm)
Eliminate the possibilty of home ground (pitch) advantage and check the figures. Warne has more Test wickets in India, at about the same rate per game and only a slightly higher average. (He's also scored a few more runs and taken a few more catches).
Neither player has an excellent off field record.
My five year old has just started bowling a cricket ball out the back of his hand!! "I'm Shane Warne!" he says. It's remarkable! (He doesn't understand text messaging yet, but he's starting to get a grip of bowling leg spin! - I'll take that any day)
My two year old doesn't quite get the bowling thing at all yet, and will stand at the bowler's end and throw the ball down towards the batsman - "guess who's name everyone calls out when that happens".
By Stuart Helwig (23 Dec 2005, 3:20:00 am)
spoken like a true aussie. What more can we expect from an aussie!.
Stu: Warne has more wickets in India because he has played one game more, although you're right about the other stats :) I don't really think Murali's off-field record can be compared with Warne's. Warnie wins hands down. My point has always been that Warne didn't need to badmouth Murali. He would be a great even if Murali ends up with 100 test wickets more than Warne. I'm not Sri Lankan, but I'd guess that it is entirely likely that somewhere in Sri Lanka is a teenager smoking away, getting himself into trouble with women and generally not being the best behaved chap around. Perhaps they'd be calling him "Warne"?
Prashanth: Not sure what Stu has said which is 'typically Australian'. He is entitled to his point of view. Not sure if Voltaire said/wrote this: "I disapprove of what you say, but I will defend to the death your right to say it".
By Jagadish (23 Dec 2005, 3:40:00 pm)
Thanks Jagadish. In my opinion, Warne is a better bowler than Murali. Biased? You bet!
He (Warne) doesn't seem too cluey though does he? I can see why Murali fans and perhaps those like Prashanth that are keen to tar all Aussies with the same brush, may take offence to his comments, but I honestly don't believe he specifically meant Murali. In fact, it is more likely he meant opening bowlers like McGrath, Harmisson, or even Flintoff, because these are the guys that get the first crack, when bowling at the weaker batting line ups.
By Stuart Helwig (23 Dec 2005, 4:26:00 pm)
Stu: Nice try Stu. It is plain obvious who he was referring to. Given that the chat was about the # of wickets he'd end up taking, he clearly he doesn't expect [and neither do you, I suppose] that the likes of McGrath, Flintoff and Harmison will get past his record :)
By Jagadish (23 Dec 2005, 6:33:00 pm)
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