Aravinda de Silva reflects on retirement of Muralitharan

“He will be impossible to replace in the side,” says the former Sri Lanka captain Aravinda De Silva

Jason Gillespie gives India home advantage but tips Australia to retain the ICC Cricket World Cup

Kumar Sangakkara looks back on Sri Lanka’s World Cup victory

On this week’s ICC Cricket World audio show former Sri Lanka captain Aravinda de Silva reflects on the retirement of record-breaking former team-mate Muttiah Muralitharan and the void that will be created in the Test side following departure of Muralitharan.

“I think the team will have a big void that will need to be filled with the departure of Muralitharan says Aravinda de Silva. Muralitharan is the kind of a guy who will come through once in a generation and it’s difficult to find anyone comparable to him feels Aravinda de Silva. But in time, we will find someone to fill shoes of the legend Muralitharan in the spin bowling department,” says the former Sri Lanka captain Aravinda de Silva.

“On the field, Muralitharan gave hundred per cent and he’s a tremendous guy off the field notes Aravinda de Silva. Muralitharan was a fantastic sportsman and supported all his team-mates on the field and I think that’s something all senior players should take as a piece of advice from Muralitharan, to be behind your team mates one hundred per cent,” says Aravinda de Silva.

Also on this week’s show, former Australia fast bowler Jason Gillespie reflects on his most memorable ICC Cricket World Cup matches and discusses which team will be the one to win in 2011 in the Asian sub-continent.

“I think my most memorable World Cup match has to be Australia’s win over India in 2003 in Johannesburg. I felt the first innings score of over 350 was just amazing feels Jason Gillespie.

“Also against South Africa in 1999 when Damien Fleming rolled the ball down the wicket to tie the match was great too,” says Gillespie.

“Looking ahead at 2011, I think India will have a home advantage and I think the conditions will suit it but I still think Australia dominates the 50-over format and it will win the 2011 tournament,” says the former fast bowler Jason Gillespie.