Arjuna Ranatunga 52 Vs England 1998 High.mpgHe was widely recognised as a master tactician and was famous for defending his players at all costs.Ranatunga is also remembered for his stand in a one day international against England. Australian Umpire Ross Emerson called Muralitharan for throwing. (Muralitharan was subsequently cleared by bio-mechanical experts hired by the ICC.) Ranatunga exchanged heated words with umpire Emerson and led his team to a point just inside the boundary line, halting play, until the Sri Lankan management conferred with him and play resumed.The Sri Lankan national team were considered perpetual underdogs but this image changed completely during the 1996 Cricket World Cup, when Sri Lanka defeated tournament favourites Australia to win it under the captaincy of Ranatunga. This victory, for which Ranatunga was a pivotal part both as batsman and captain, has ensured that Sri Lanka are no longer underestimated on the world cricket stage.