21 Jul 2010

India on the back foot in Galle

6:32 am on 21 July 2010

Sri Lanka have taken charge of their rain-affected first Test against India in Galle.

The home side declared at a massive 520 for eight on day three, and they picked up three Indian wickets for 140 before bad light ended play early with nine overs remaining.

Muttiah Muralitharan, Test cricket's leading wicket taker and playing his final match, moved to within seven wickets of his 800th scalp when he trapped the great Sachin Tendulkar lbw for eight.

Earlier Muralitharan was greeted in his final Test appearance by fireworks when he went out to bat and the Indian fielders formed a guard of honour.