Muttiah Muralitharan - A Statistical Marvel

It is not only his gleaming smile and enigmatic eyes that are astounding about Muttiah Muralitharan. His statistics are a stand out as well.

muralitharan walks the red carpet

Muralitharan was born in Kandy, Sri Lanka on April 17, 1972.

- March, 16, 1997 - the first Sri Lankan to take 100 Test wickets

- January 199 - his first 10-wicket haul against Zimbabwe

- the only bowler to take 75 wickets or more in a calendar year three times.

- Murali has 800 wickets at an average of 22.72 from 133 Tests. He has taken 10 wickets in a match 22 times and five wickets in an innings 67 times -- the most for a bowler

- August 1998 - best career match figures of 16 for 220 against England

- March 1994 - the youngest and fastest bowler to take 500 wickets during the second test against Australia in Kandy after Shane Warne who took the same number of wickets in the first Test

- the only bowler to take 100 wickets against India - 105 at an average of 32.61 in 22 Tests

- has eleven Player of the Series Awards to his name, no other player has that record and nineteen Man of the Match awards for a Sri Lankan

- has a double nine wickets in an innings record - 9 for 51 against Zimbabwe at Kandy in 2002 and 9 for 65 against England at The Oval in 1998

- shares stand with Anil Kumble for most number of caught and bowled dismissals - thirty-seven wickets in all

- has forty-seven stumpings to his name and 167 wickets as bowled

- the first bowler to take five wickets in an innings against all the nine Test playing nations

- fastest to achieve 400 wickets from 72 Tests, 500 wickets from 87 Tests, 600 wickets in 101 Tests, 700 wickets from 113 Tests

- took 10 wickets in a Test match in four Tests in succession twice - 2001 & 2006

- 90 wickets in 2006

And these are just tip of the iceberg. With a tooth comb, records will come tumbling out of his closet.

Murali, Murali's Wife, Sanga, Dhoni, Lorgat Are All Grateful at 800 Test Wicket Occasion

Graeme Smith on Murali: "Glad I Don't Have to Face Him in Test Cricket Again"

Muttiah Muralitharan Celebrates his 800th Test Wicket - Picture Gallery

Muttiah Muralitharan Celebrates his 800th Test Wicket - Picture Gallery

When Muralitharan Batted One Last Time...India Applauded (The Pic of Proof)

ICC President Salutes Muttiah Muralitharan

Ind SL T2 Day 3 Lunch: Murali on 795 Wickets, India in Deep Trouble at 260/8

Warne Bats for Murali's Action; Says Off Spinner's Record too Far for Anyone

Ind SL T1 Preview: Dhoni Promises No Concessions for Murali for Farewell Test

Only 'Spinners' Underpants for Shane Warne

Bedi: Game Should Get Rid of Chuckers, Refers to Muttiah Muralitharan Again

Never Faced Anyone Like Him, Ponting Says of Muralitharan

Murali Singles Out Sri Lanka's World Cup 1996 Win As Sri Lanka's "Power" Moment

Murali's Candid Talk: "Never Got Angry at People Who Accused Me of Throwing"

Murali Says Only Bhajji can Match Him; Bhajji Says, Flattered But not Possible

Murali Prepones Retirement, Says His Time has Passed, Moves Over for Youngsters

Former Umpire Says Warne, not Murali, Not Deserving of Highest WicketTaker Award

Muralitharan Discusses Retirement Plans

India's Tour of Sri Lanka Schedule, Results

Murali Times his Retirement

S&T Special Part 1: Murali Alleges “Inside Job”, Umpires have Queries of Their Own

Murali Chucks, Suggests Richardson

Murali plans to sue former Indian spinner Bedi

Change of rules for Murali- - Fumes Gilchrist