The world’s top wicket-taker has paid tribute to his Catholic education after calling time on an illustrious international cricket career that saw him reach 800-wickets in his final Test match.

“I was blessed with excellent priests, teachers and coaches,” Sri Lanka’s Muthiah “Murali” Muralitharan said on July 22 after helping his team beat India by 10 wickets in Galle.

The combination of playing cricket and studying hard at St. Anthony’s College, in Kandy put him in good stead for his future cricketing career, the off-spinner and national icon told ucanews.com.

“I was exceptionally well prepared for the game,” he added.

Muralitharan, 38, is a Tamil Hindu but his father was determined to send him and his three brothers to a Christian school.

“Christian schools provide better education, sports and moral development,” said his father, Sinnathambi Muthiah.

Muralitharan was sent to St. Anthony’s, a boarding school, where his cricketing skills grew and flourished.

It was also where Muralitharan developed a strong character and learned to take knocks in his stride. These lessons were to serve him well during his career.

“The most impressive things about him are his personality, his values, his beliefs and his contribution not only to Sri Lanka’s cricket team but Sri Lankan society,” Sri Lankan skipper Kumar Sangakara said.

Cricketers these days face lots of pressure and controversies, with some being accused of various hurtful things, Sangakara said.

“Murali” stands out as an outstanding example of someone wrongly accused who bounced back and proved his detractors wrong, he added.

For years Muralitharan was accused of having an illegal bowling action which prompted former Australian Prime Minister John Howard to accuse him of “chucking” (throwing).

After undergoing tests on his bowling action Muralitharan was cleared twice by the sports governing body, theInternational Cricket Council in 1996 and in 1999.

“My son endured years of torment but stormed back and was successful,” said his father.

Sri Lankan cricket fans say Muralitharan will be sorely missed.

“We miss his shy smile already,” said Anushiya Jayasingham, a female fan at Galle’s cricket ground.

“His accomplishments will live for ever.”

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