Murali's a 'bio-mechanical mess': Kontouri

Muttiah Muralitharan, after being described as "a bio-mechanical mess" by Alex Kontouri, former physiotherapist of the Sri Lankan team, has decided that he wants to slow down.

The 30-year-old Muralitharan has suffered a series of injuries in his career. He has been through a dislocated shoulder, a hernia operation, torn quadriceps and a niggling groin, and still managed to pick up an astonishing 445 wickets in 80 Tests. Prompted by Kontouri's comments in a recent interview, Muralitharan has decided to cut down on his gruelling international schedule.

"I want to play only major tournaments," Muralitharan said recently. "Too much of one-day cricket does take its toll. I hope to go on for another four years ... but one never knows what the future holds. Plans often change."

Muralitharan, who had once said that he wanted to be the first to take 600 Test wickets, now said that he was going to take it "match by match".

Stephen Fleming, New Zealand's captain, emphasized how important Muralitharan was to his side. "Sri Lanka have got the biggest strikepower in the world in Murali," he said. "He can turn a match at any point. Without him, Sri Lanka are not a very successful side."

And indications were that Murali was working on being even more lethal. "I am working on the flipper," he told journalists, "It's a hard ball to master and have not bowled it in a match yet. I am also working on other variations."