Ashwin is the current best Test spinner: Muttiah Muralitharan

Sri Lankan legend Muttiah Muralitharan rated Indian off-spinner Ravichandran Ashwin as the best off-spinner in the current scenario.

“Ashwin, I think, is on the top at the moment as the best current Test spinner,” Muralitharan, who is the leading wicket-taker (800) in Test cricket history, was quoted as saying by cricket.co.au.

Murali also added that Nathan Lyon of Australia is a bright aspect as he is bowling in conditions where there is not much assistance for the spinners. “Lyon is a very good bowler, a very good off-spinner. He has proven himself in Test cricket and has taken a lot of wickets for Australia. He bowls in different conditions (in Australia) which are not much helpful for the spin but on the turning wickets he has taken some wickets.”

On the upcoming Australia’s tour to Sri Lanka:

Which team is the favorite to win the series? The former off-spinner said that the world champions have the edge over the home side since Lanka is going through a rebuilding phase.

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“Australia is favourite at the moment because they have played good cricket in the recent past. Sri Lanka, on the other hand, is struggling a bit in all forms of the game, so Australia will have an edge over Sri Lanka,” he said.

He added that the current Sri Lankan side is pretty inexperienced. Thus, Australia has a good chance, if they use the conditions properly.

“They have a chance of winning the series because the Sri Lankan side is very inexperienced as a lot of players retired recently and they are rebuilding the side, so they won’t be strong enough.”

“Therefore, Australia, I think, will have a good chance of winning the series. If they use the conditions properly and play the spinners well, they definitely have a chance,” he concluded.

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