April 16, 2008	Wednesday	Rabi-us-Sani 9, 1429

CHENNAI, April 15: Sri Lankan Muttiah Muralitharan, highest wicket-taker in Test cricket history on Tuesday said the Twenty20 format of the game has come to stay and is “saviour” of Test cricket.

Speaking after practice session with Chennai Super Kings team for Indian Premier League (IPL), Muralitharan, who has 735 wickets from 120 Tests and 464 from 309 ODIs, asserted the Twenty20 was future face of cricket and he had no qualms in accepting the fact.

“However, as any cricketer would tell you, Test cricket is the ultimate. But these days, not many people can spare five days to watch a Test match. They need entertainment and that is what Twenty20 is all about,” he said.

Muralitharan did not endorse view that spinners do not have much of a role to play in Twenty20 format of cricket. On the contrary, he pointed out the same held for batsmen who have little time to settle in.

“I feel, spinners can and will play a big role in Twenty20. After all, spinner stands a chance since batsmen would be looking to play strokes. If you have right strategy, then, it is quite possible to take wickets. But you also need to be a good spinner to make an impact.”

As if to emphasise point, he referred to his own performance with Lancashire and said he had a role to play in team’s victories. “I have not played much of Twenty20, but during my days with Lancashire, I thought I did pretty well. So, I feel, spinners can play a crucial role in this format.”—Agencies