Muralitharan confused by omission from Sharjah squad

Sri Lanka's star spinner Muttiah Muralitharan has reacted with surprise and confusion to his omission from a 15-man squad for the forthcoming Sharjah Cup.

Muralitharan was left out of the original squad after official sources claimed him to have aggravated a groin injury during the World Cup.

But the off-spinner denied he was injured and said he was available for selection during a television interview on Monday night.

Speaking in Sinhalese, Muralitharan said: "No-one has asked we whether I am fit or not - I am fine for Sharjah."

Were he not included in the squad, which is still awaiting governmental ratification, he threatened to play County Cricket in England during the early part of summer.

"If I am not selected maybe I will play County Cricket for Lancashire," he said.

Sri Lanka are scheduled to play a Test series at the end of April so a spell with Lancashire appears extremely unlikely should the selectors not make a u-turn.

The squad, selected over the weekend, is due to be ratified by the Minister of Sports on Tuesday and the selectors may be forced to include the spin wizard at the eleventh hour.

Muralitharan's omission was one of six changes in Sri Lanka's squad as the selectors axed middle order trio Kumar Sangakkara, Mahela Jayawardene and Russel Arnold.

Pulasthi Gunaratne was also discarded as six members of the Sri Lanka A team were rewarded for their good performances against the ECB Academy recently.

South Africa have pulled out of the tri-nation tournament which had been scheduled to start on April 1 but is now in doubt because of the Iraq war.