(REUTERS) – Sri Lanka selector Aravinda De Silva says the national side will have to “live with reality” after the retirement of history-making spinner Muttiah Muralitharan. The 38-year-old wrapped up his Test career in the perfect way on Thursday as he became the first – and perhaps last – man in history to claim 800 wickets with his final ball in the format.
“I think it’s a big void which needs to be filled because Murali is a guy who will come maybe once in a generation,” said De Silva.
“It is very different to any other guy when it comes to replacing him, so we have to live with the reality and look for the next generation of spinners who are going to see us through.
“On the field he gave it 100 per cent always and as a person he was a tremendous guy to have as a friend.
“But most of all, the thing I admired the most in him was the way he supported his team-mates and helped them.
“That is something all senior players should take a leaf from because that sort of thing is very, very important.”