Muralitharan's runout

Charlie Austin's bulletin from CricInfo...

...Sangakkara glanced a single to bring up his century.

But as Sangakkara started to raise his hands aloft in celebration, Muralitharan had a brainstorm, tapping his bat into the crease and then leaving it again to congratulate Sangakkara while the ball was still live. Brian Jerling, the square leg umpire, motioned to Muralitharan that over had not been called, but it was too late and Brendon McCullum whipped off the bails. Muralitharan may justifiably claim that the dismissal was not within the spirit of the game, but it was within the letter of the law and, for a cricketer of his immense experience, it was a moment of unpardonable madness.

Now lets be honest here. It was unsportsman-like of New Zealand. Screw the letter of the law. In situations like these, the entire world is willing to shove the 'letter'. Murali was clearly not running the second run and had already made his ground. I was shocked to see it unfold on tv. And after you make your ground, you're bloody safe. Its common sense, after all. It was the end of the over and the leg umpire was already walking towards to the crease. Sangakarra had just made such an important century, shuffling around with the tail and it was plain to see the New Zealanders were desperate to get the last wicket.

The umpire had no choice but to give it out. He has to follow the rules. There is no fault there but if he had let it pass, it wouldn't be such an issue either.

New Zealand should not have appealed. McCullum is a bastard.