Muralitharan routs England to save series

NOTTINGHAM, England, June 5 (Reuters) Muttiah Muralitharan just missed out on a historic 10-wicket haul as Sri Lanka crushed England by 134 runs in the third and final test to level the series 1-1 today.

The home side, set a record 325 to win on a dry, wearing pitch, collapsed from 84 without loss to 190 all out on the fourth day.

Muralitharan finished with eight for 70.

He looked on course to join England's Jim Laker and Anil Kumble of India as the only men to take 10 wickets in a test innings.

But after dismissing the first seven batsmen, his chance of history evaporated when Matthew Hoggard was brilliantly run out by a direct throw from Charmara Kapugedera.

REUTERS SRS PM2153