The Boxing Day Test between Sri Lanka and Australia in 1995 was far away from a spirit of Christmas. The Test was overshadowed by a controversial no-ball incident that had almost ended the career of the greatest spinner Muttiah Muralitharan.
The incident unfolded in Melbourne, where Muttiah Muralitharan found himself targeted by Australian umpire Darrell Hair, he was controversially called for throwing not once, twice, or thrice, but seven times.
This scrutiny could have marked as the end of Murali’s Test cricket career. However, fate took a different turn as the resilient bowler, undeterred by the repeated calls, decided to switch ends. The change in ends did not only alter Murali’s trajectory in that match but had far-reaching consequences for the cricketing world.
As if the saga with Hair was not enough, fate dealt another contentious blow to Murali in the form of Australian umpire Ross Emerson during the 1998-99 season. The controversy and debate surrounding Muttiah Muralitharan’s distinctive bowling action where umpires called his deliveries no-balls.
In the end, the Australian umpires, Hair and Emerson, unknowingly played pivotal roles in shaping Muralitharan’s extraordinary cricketing legacy, a legacy that transcends the controversies and stands as a testament to the bowler’s indomitable spirit and unparalleled skill on the cricket field.
Sri Lanka vs Australia Boxing Day Test in 1995
Australia had won the 2nd Test between Sri Lanka and Australia by 10 wickets. Steve Waugh (131) and David Boon (110) scored century in first innings to set the platform for Australia’s win. Muralitharan had taken one wicket in the match.
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