London: Sri Lankan off spinner Muttiah Muralitharan has been named the top Test bowler in history, ranking alongside top batsman Don Bradman, according to cricket bible Wisden. Wisden analysed the performance of every player and assessed it against factors like the strength of opposition, career length and importance of each performance to the outcome of an innings or match. However, while Bradman's ranking as the world's best batsman was not in doubt, Muralitharan's selection as the best bowler could create controversy as his bowling action has been criticised by rivals. The 30-year-old has not played in Australia since he was called for throwing in 1995- 96 and 1998-99. Wisden's statistical analysis of every single Test match put the Sri Lankan three places of his Australian spin rival Shane Warne. Between them are New Zealand's Richard Hadlee, and Sydney Barnes, whose 189 for England between 1901/02 - 1913/14 brought an average of 16.43 - the lowest of 20th century Test cricketers. In 78 Tests, Muralitharan has 437 wickets at an average of 23.52. "His ranking emphasises the lone-wolf role he has played in Sri Lankan cricket for so long," Wisden.com editor Steven Lynch told the BBC. "The expected score for a top performer was around 1000 points - and The Don managed 1349," said Lynch. "Just like his fabulous Test batting average of 99.94, this deservedly left him way clear of the field." Wisden caused controversy two years ago when its statistical ranking of the top 100 Test innings did not include a single appearance by Indian legend Sachin Tendulkar. Richards was reckoned the best batsman in One-day International cricket, while Pakistan's Wasim Akram is the best Limited Overs bowler. Batsmen: 1. Don Bradman (Australia), 2. Sachin Tendulkar (India), 3. Vivian Richards (West Indies), 4. Garry Sobers (West Indies), 5. Alan Border (Australia), 6. Jack Hobbs (England), 7. Ken Barrington (England), 8. Sunil Gavaskar (India), 9. Greg Chappell (Australia) 10. Brian Lara (West Indies). Bowlers: 1. Muttiah Muralitharan (Sri Lanka), 2. Richard Hadlee (New Zealand), 3. Sydney Barnes (England), 4. Shane Warne (Australia), 5. Clarrie Grimmett (Australia), 6. Glenn McGrath (Australia), 7. Dennis Lillee (Australia), 8. Malcolm Marshall (West Indies), 9. Imran Khan (Pakistan), 10. Courtney Walsh (West Indies).

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