Muralitharan likely to bowl without any hindrance (20 January 1999)

20 January 1999

Muralitharan likely to bowl without any hindrance

Elmo Rodrigopulle

Melbourne Cricket Ground, Tuesday - Muthiah Muralitharan who was given a torrid time by the media here, is now breathing easy after being cleared by the ICC and is likely to bowl without any hindrance in the Carlton and United one-day series.

Muralitharan was under severe stress while wild allegations were floated around about his action. The ICC moved swiftly to clear him and now the 'smiling assassin', promises to bowl the way he always does with no change in his action.

According to Ranjit Fernando, the Sri Lankan manager, Muralitharan was a bit upset, because his cricketing future was on the line. 'But now that the ICC has cleared him, he will get back to the correct frame of mind and continue to bowl his off spinners which has mesmerised batsmen all over the world', said Fernando.

What has shocked the number one off spinner is that while he has bowled in all test playing countries, it is only Australia that makes it hell for him. That is something which is unacceptable to him.

But he is delighted that players of the calibre of Allan Border, Michael Holding, Ian Botham and Bob Willis and every member of the team is behind him.

The other good news from the Sri Lankan camp is that Aravinda de Silva is responding quickly to treatment under physio Alex Kountouri.

De Silva who suffered a torn muscle on his left leg during a practice game in Melbourne and upset Sri Lanka's game plan, is fighting hard to get into action and come to the rescue of his teammates who are struggling in the one-day series.

De Silva has been doing a bit of jogging and is batting in good touch at the nets. Unless the unforeseen happens, De Silva has set his sights on returning to the scene of action in Adelaide where Sri Lanka play double headers against England and Australia on January 23 and 24.

Source :: Daily News (https://www.lanka.net)