Muttiah Muralitharan, Asanka Gurusinha, Aravinda de Silva and Ravindra Pushpakumara in fundraiser at Yarraleen Cricket Club

Muttiah Muralitharan, Asanka Gurusinha, Aravinda de Silva and Ravindra Pushpakumara in fundraiser at Yarraleen Cricket Club

Muttiah Muralitharan, Asanka Gurusinha, Aravinda de Silva and Ravindra Pushpakumara in fundraiser at Yarraleen Cricket Club

Staff Writers, Manningham Leader
October 31, 2016 10:30am

CRICKET enthusiasts will have the chance to cross swords with the most successful bowler in Test history at a special fundraising night in Bulleen on Wednesday night.

Muttiah Muralitharan, who snared a world record 800 Test scalps, will be joined by Sri Lankan 1996 World Cup winners Asanka Gurusinha, Aravinda de Silva and Ravindra Pushpakumara at a big night of cricket put on by Box Hill Reporter and District Cricket Association’s Yarraleen Cricket Club at Bulleen Park.

While the visit of the four Sri Lankan stars will help the club with its own fundraising efforts, Yarraleen is keen to assist Murali’s charity, the Foundation of Goodness, which aims to empower rural Sri Lankan youth by giving them training in various areas including nutrition and well-being, education, vocational training and infrastructure development. The charity is also working hard with girls in Sri Lanka, providing education and self-defence training.

As part of the event at Bullen Park (6pm-8.30pm), Murali will roll his arm over for the cause, putting up 10 chances to face his wily off-spin. Successful bidders will get to face the world record holder and then keep the ball as a memento.

The visiting Sri Lankans will also provide a free coaching clinic for the club’s youngsters and there will be the chance to get one-on-one signed photographs with the players.
Sri Lanka’s Asanka Gurusinha holds the World Cup trophy Picture: Glenn Barnes.
Yarraleen is also hoping to get a six-a-side demonstration game up and running on the night, involving the visiting players.

On Melbourne Cup day, the Sri Lankans will be at South Morang Cricket Club for a Twenty20 match as part of their fundraising tour.

What: Yarraleen Cricket Club Sportsman’s Day

Where: Bulleen Park, Bulleen

When: Wednesday, November 2 (6.00pm – 8.30pm)

Who: Muttiah Muralitharan, Asanka Gurusinha, Aravinda de Silva and Ravindra Pushpakumara

Why: Fundraising for the Foundation of Goodness charity and Yarraleen Cricket Club

More: For more on the big night at Yarraleen, visit the club’s website.