Muralitharan ruled out of final test

Sri Lanka will take on South Africa without Muttiah Muralitharan, their premier bowler. He was ruled out of the match this morning because of a groin injury.

According to Ajit Jayasekera, the Sri Lanka manager, Ruchira Perera is being sent as a replacement from Kenya where he is currently on tour with Sri Lanka A.

However, it is unclear as to whether he will be able to get to South Africa in time for the Test match. Despite being an official replacement he has no visa. Aravinda de Silva's arrival in South Africa was delayed for similar reasons.

The Chairman of Selectors, Tikiri Banda Kehelgamuwa, stated yesterday that Kumar Dharmasena was being sent from Kenya. However, this is not now believed to be the case.

It goes without saying that the absence of Muralitharan is a serious blow to Sri Lanka. He is a remarkable bowler with an astonishing fitness record. This will be the first Test match that he has missed in 25 consecutive games. The last time was in Mumbai in the 1997/98 tour of India.