Watch: Paul Collingwood becomes Muttiah Muralitharan's luckiest Test wicket

The highest wicket-taker in ODI and Test cricket, Muttiah Muralitharan is one of the greatest bowlers of all time. The off-spinner was an absolute magician who produced prodigious turn even on flat pitches. His guile and accuracy troubled the best of batsmen in world cricket. On a beautiful day at Trent Bridge in Nottingham, he produced a match-winning spell against England spearheading his team to a famous win. There was one wicket though that turned out to be his luckiest one, that of Paul Collingwood.

Sharp turn and low bounce from Murali hit the toe end of Collingwood’s bat as he tried to adjust and play the ball on the leg side. The ball deflected off the bat onto his left toe and lobbed up in front of the short-leg fielder who dived in front to take a sharp a sharp catch. The Sri Lankans appealed confidently however the umpire, Rudi Koertzen, didn’t seem sure. He consulted his partner Darrell Hair and decided to check with the third umpire; this meant he was sure about the edge however not if it had hit the ground or come directly off the boot. David Lloyd in the commentary box first stated he wasn’t sure, and then changed his opinion only to revert back to his original one that prompted some laughter from his colleagues. Sir Ian Botham though seemed pretty confident that the batsman was out.

The third umpire had a close look at the replays checking all possible angles. He finally gave his verdict and Collingwood headed back to the pavilion. Credit must be given to Dilshan who took this amazing catch giving Murali another wicket. Chasing 325 runs England were bowled out for 190 courtesy an incredible spell by the master-8/70. Sri Lanka won the Test and finished the 3 match series 1-1, a fine achievement by the island nation.