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In those early preliminary years, where the Sri Lankan Spinner Muttiah Muralitharan had his baptism and broke into the maze of international cricket - He was at that time in the eyes of the cricketers abroad, quite an unknown quantity, having yet to prove and establish himself as a leading front line bowler.

Unsophisticated as he was, the steely wiry framed Murali had no reputation to guard or live upto. For free from any form of inhibitions, he felt it opportune to capitalise in the position he found himself in. Revelling, in their ignorance of his ability and perhaps the cynical underestimation of a developing third world country to produce an extraordinary bowler of class - Murali, contrary to their thinking went on to catch the opposing batsmen off guard, by surprise to secure wickets and scale unprecedented heights to become the central figure in the world of cricket, in a comparatively short period of time.

Acknowledged as a tantalising spinner and freakishly wide turner of the ball. He has had phenomenal success both in the longer as well as the shorter versions of the game, that has made him a disturbing force to be reckoned with. Importance, fame and recognition, rather than being helpful has had an adverse effect. In that it has alerted opposing batsmen, drawing their attention towards him, to be so preoccupied in finding ways and means of dealing with his wily spin and unusual turn.

The outcome of which saw strategic evidence, when the impetuous, Afridi dared to take the 'Bull by the Horns' head on, by rushing down the wicket and successfully belting the ball one bounce into the stands and more frequently over it. The idea from the word go was not to allow Murali to dictate terms, hold the whiphand by being planted to the crease and court disaster. Sacrificially, in a sink or swim attitude, cavalier Afridi in a one dayer, where every over counts for much, demonstrated how to get on with it. The lesson was not lost, for latching on to it, were Hansie Cronje, Sachin Tendulkar and Jaceques Kalis, who almost gave the same treatment to Murali. It has become infectious recently to find Graeme Hick and Wasim Akram employ the same strategy to counter Murali.

The comforting thought however for Murali is, that all batsmen aren't adventurous as the afore mentioned, for it is risky, when fronting up against a reputed Spinner. Murali will have to come up with something new to keep these devastatingly enterprising batsmen in check. He is not at a loss for guidance, for he has the astute skipper Arjuna and vice captain Aravinda to use him judiciously and at times surreptitiously to shield him. His confrontation against Hick in the opening match on Friday and, the spoken of new strategy that will be resorted to by the Sri Lankan team, does generate much interest all round to make it exciting.

The frenzied World Cup Fever gains momentum as we move into the curtain raiser, where Sri Lanka plays England. The print as well as the electronic media have gone to town with world cup news and advertisements. Hotels, clubs and even homes are making elaborate arrangements to host patronisers, members, relatives and friends, not forgetting the spill over in the pavements and streets in front of TV's at shop windows and restaurants.

All this does add to the excitement and thrills which goes to make life interesting, and our wish is that the game will reign supreme and be played in the best of spirit and the deserving side wins the 1999 World Cup.