Graeme Swann as important as Muralitharan?
20/08/2010
Salman Butt believes Graeme Swann could be as important to England's chances of success in games watched by Test match tickets customers as Muttiah Muralitharan was to Sri Lanka prior to his retirement.
England star Swann took his 100th wicket in the longest form of the game when he dismissed Mohammad Yousuf in Pakistan's first innings yesterday (August 19th 2010).
Commenting on the milestone achievement, captain of the tourists Butt described the all-rounder as a "fine bowler" and added he is one of the few off-spinners in world cricket who "really matter to their team".
"There are not many around after Murali left and he's one of the good off-spinners, in Test cricket especially," he commented.
While Swann has enjoyed an impressive start to his career in games watched by people with Test match tickets, he has a long way to go if he hopes to come anywhere near Muralitharan's achievements.
The Sri Lankan maestro claimed 800 scalps in 133 Tests, at an average of 22.72.
Posted by Liz Johnstone