Murali withdrawal a 'cop-out', says Lillee

Dennis Lillee, the champion former Australian fast bowler, has described Muttiah Muralitharan's decision to pull out of next month's two-Test series as "pathetic" and "a real cop-out".

Muralitharan cited "personal reasons" for his decision to pull out of Sri Lanka's two Tests against Australia in Darwin and Cairns, starting July 1. A spokesman for Sri Lanka Cricket told AFP: "He won't be going to Australia for personal reasons, and he handed over a formal letter about this to Sri Lanka Cricket president, Mohan de Silva."

The board agreed unanimously to his request for a short break from the game. "Muttiah Muralitharan is a national asset," SLC added in a press release. "However, due to the disturbing turn of events which took place since being reported by Chris Broad, and the various adverse comments in the recent past, he is undergoing tremendous pressure."

According to Ajit Jayasekera, the team manager, Murali's team-mates have backed his decision: "We are totally supportive because we have seen the trauma he has been put through in recent weeks. We understand why he has made this decision."

Dennis Lillee was less soothing, telling The West Australian paper: "I was brought up to be wary of people who pick up their bat and go home. I think this is a pathetic decision and a real cop-out.

"Muralitharan has played all these Tests and taken all these cheap wickets, like against the Zimbabwe 2nd XI, but now he is not fronting up when the going gets tough."

Shane Warne, who may also miss the series with a broken bone in his hand, was similarly scathing of Murali's decision, describing him as "thin-skinned". Warne told Melbourne's Sun Herald newspaper: "I think it is the wrong decision not to tour. He has a lot of critics, particularly in Australia, but you can't afford to let the critics get to you."

However Kim Hughes, the former Australian captain, described Murali's absence as "a real tragedy", a view echoed by James Sutherland, Cricket Australia's chief executive. "We're disappointed that Murali has decided not to tour Australia for what is an important series between the two countries," said Sutherland.

"It's disappointing for the people of Darwin and Cairns who were looking forward to seeing him bowl, and it's disappointing for the Australian players who relish the opportunity of playing against the best in the world ... We hope to have him back in Australia at some stage in the future."

Muralitharan, 32, was not prepared to rule out that prospect last night. "It 's not because I don't like Australia or anything like that," he told The Australian . "I might tour Australia again."

On his two previous tours down under Murali was called for throwing by Australian umpires and heckled by spectators, events which made him remark that he would never go there again.

The break from cricket will allow Murali to take a well-earned rest before commencing a non-stop season of international cricket, which starts with the Asia Cup at home in July, followed by South Africa's visit, the ICC Champions Trophy in England, and tours to Bangladesh and New Zealand before the end of the year.

Sri Lanka already have two other spinners in their 15-man squad and no replacement is expected.