Cricket Wellington has confirmed that Sri Lankan spin ace Muttiah Muralitharan will join the Wellington Firebirds next season.
Muralitharan will play for the Wellington Firebirds in next season’s domestic HRV Cup Twenty20 competition.
Muralitharan recently brought the curtain down on his illustrious international career, retiring as the world record holder with most test wickets, capturing 800 scalps in 133 matches. He also played 350 One-Day Internationals and helped Sri Lanka win the 1996 World Cup and become a leading force in world cricket.
Cricket Wellington Chief Executive Gavin Larsen said he was delighted with Muralitharan’s signing.
“It is a tremendous boost for Wellington to secure the services of one of the greatest international cricketers of all time,” said Larsen. “He is a superb cricketer and a great ambassador for the game. As well as being a huge asset for us he is also very keen to assist us in promoting the game around Wellington.”
Muralitharan said he can’t wait to come to Wellington:
“I’ve always enjoyed my time in New Zealand and it is a fantastic country to tour and to play cricket in. I look forward to helping the Wellington Firebirds to success in next season’s HRV Cup.”
He is currently playing for the Kochi Tuskers Kerala in the IPL Twenty20 competition.
The HRV Cup schedule for 2011/12 will be released by New Zealand Cricket in due course.
MUTTIAH MURALITHARAN:
Age: 39
Major Teams: Sri Lanka, Tamil Union, Lancashire, Kent, Chennai Super Kings, Kochi Tuskers Kerala
Playing role: Right arm off-spin bowler, right hand bat
International career: 1992-2011, 133 Tests (800 wickets), 350 One Day Internationals (534 wickets), 12 Twenty20 Internationals (13 wickets), 232 First-Class matches (1374 wickets).
