"Amid the overpaid egos and brats of global sport, Muralitharan's successes and humility make him a true legend" – Martin Kettle

History was made at Galle on July 22, when Muralitharan, the greatest Asian sportsman of all time completed the final game of his career on the cricket field in Galle with a flourish by getting an unprecedented 800th test match wicket. Only two other bowlers in addition to Muralitharan have ever crossed the 600 count – Shane Warne and Anil Kumble. "Batting against him was the ultimate challenge ... each delivery a mini-battle", wrote Steve Waugh, the former Australian captain.

Even-tempered, focused and driven, and a warm personality, Murali is one of the handful of genuine sporting legends. It is a strange coincidence that Murali completed his career in the city he has worked so tirelessly for, ever since it was struck by the 2004 tsunami. In a nation, and in a national team, with Sinhalese majority, he is from the minority Tamil population.

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