Tuggeranong spinner Shane Devoy is planning to draw on Muttiah Muralitharan's vast experience when he gets up close and personal with the most successful bowler in Test history.
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Devoy has been called into the ACT Comets squad for the three-match series with Muralitharan's Melbourne Renegades next Monday and Tuesday.
The Sri Lankan master became the leading wicket-taker in Test history with 800 scalps before he retired from international cricket last year after playing 133 Tests.
However, his unusual action, which had him no-balled for throwing on several occasions, makes passing any technical advice difficult to aspiring spinners, including left-arm orthodox tweaker Devoy.
''To play against Murali and get a chance to have a chat to him about his approach to the game will be a really good experience,'' Devoy said. ''He's a very unorthodox player, so it will be more about his approach and what his mindset is at different times, rather than anything too technical.''
Devoy gets his chance while Comets coach Mark Higgs is trialling with the Adelaide Strikers in an attempt to earn a contract for the Big Bash League.
But first, Devoy could be called on with the bat as Tuggeranong chases down Weston Creek's massive first innings score of 9(dec)-373 on the second day of their Douglas Cup clash at Stirling Oval on Saturday. Tuggeranong will resume at 0-17 after Byron Field put Weston Creek in the box seat with an unbeaten 134.
''Byron played one of the best knocks I have seen him play,'' Devoy said. ''The challenge for us is to bat as long as we can chase down the runs.''
Elsewhere, Queanbeyan is 3-102 chasing Eastlake's total of 204 at Kingston Oval, Ginninderra (2-13) will need a big effort to chase down Norths' 7-290 at Keith Tournier Oval and ANU (0-17) will be hoping the Jamison Oval pitch is just as friendly for batting as it was for Wests (6-345).
