Danny
16-08-2004, 03:22 PM
Murali to have surgery
Wisden Cricinfo staff
August 14,2004.
Muttiah Muralitharan will undergo surgery on his injured right shoulder in Melbourne on Monday, and may be out of cricket for four months. He flew to Australia on Thursday night to see David Young, a shoulder specialist who has treated him before, and Young told him that unless he had surgery, a cyst in his shoulder could permanently weaken his bowling arm.
"We've advised him to have the surgery. Otherwise, if it gets worse, it could threaten his career," said Young. The surgery will treat a superior labrum anterior-posterior (SLAP) lesion, which in layman's terms is a type of cyst which has caused a build-up of fluid around the nerves in his right shoulder. The problem developed because of the huge amount Muralitharan has bowled during his career. He has bowled more than 5000 overs in Tests alone.
Murali has complained of pain in his shoulder for several months, and bowled with discomfort in the drawn first Test against South Africa earlier this month, although he still picked up five wickets to edge ahead of Shane Warne in their scrap for the Test bowling record. However, with Murali, who has 532 Test wickets to his name, unlikely to play again before a series against New Zealand in December this year, Warne has a chance to reclaim the record, and build a lead. Australia play four Tests against India in October, followed by two against New Zealand and three against Pakistan at home.
Muralitharan remained philosophical about his injury setback, telling reporters on Saturday: "Nothing is certain in life. I think other people have to have a share. Shane Warne is a wonderful bowler and he should also have the record." Warne, who had a similar surgery in 2000, drew level with Muralitharan when Australia played Sri Lanka last month, but has never held the record outright.
© Wisden Cricinfo Ltd
Wisden Cricinfo staff
August 14,2004.
Muttiah Muralitharan will undergo surgery on his injured right shoulder in Melbourne on Monday, and may be out of cricket for four months. He flew to Australia on Thursday night to see David Young, a shoulder specialist who has treated him before, and Young told him that unless he had surgery, a cyst in his shoulder could permanently weaken his bowling arm.
"We've advised him to have the surgery. Otherwise, if it gets worse, it could threaten his career," said Young. The surgery will treat a superior labrum anterior-posterior (SLAP) lesion, which in layman's terms is a type of cyst which has caused a build-up of fluid around the nerves in his right shoulder. The problem developed because of the huge amount Muralitharan has bowled during his career. He has bowled more than 5000 overs in Tests alone.
Murali has complained of pain in his shoulder for several months, and bowled with discomfort in the drawn first Test against South Africa earlier this month, although he still picked up five wickets to edge ahead of Shane Warne in their scrap for the Test bowling record. However, with Murali, who has 532 Test wickets to his name, unlikely to play again before a series against New Zealand in December this year, Warne has a chance to reclaim the record, and build a lead. Australia play four Tests against India in October, followed by two against New Zealand and three against Pakistan at home.
Muralitharan remained philosophical about his injury setback, telling reporters on Saturday: "Nothing is certain in life. I think other people have to have a share. Shane Warne is a wonderful bowler and he should also have the record." Warne, who had a similar surgery in 2000, drew level with Muralitharan when Australia played Sri Lanka last month, but has never held the record outright.
© Wisden Cricinfo Ltd