Muralitharan shies away from the media (9 January 1999)

9 January 1999

Muralitharan shies away from the media

By Elmo Rodrigopulle

Melbourne Cricket Ground, Australia, Friday - Muthiah Muralitharan, the world's number one off spinner has been kept away from the media.

The Sri Lankan management decided on this following the torment and torture the young spinner was put through by the crowd in Adelaide. Disparaging remarks were also cast on him.

In addition the media is hounding Muralitharan trying to lure him into some controversy which they could capitalise on.

Manager Ranjit Fernando told me that this was being done to allow Muralitharan to concentrate and focus on the Carlton and Untied one-day series which begins on Sunday with England playing Australia in Brisbane followed by the Sri Lanka versus England game on Monday.

It is a pity that Muralitharan is under so much pressure but he doesn't care. The media here is trying to take away the attention from the public on the inquiry that is now on against Shane Warne and Mark Waugh who were involved with the cricketing underworld where they sold information and accepted a gratification.

Some of the cricketing public here are apparently trying to side with umpires Darrel Hair and Ross Emerson who called him during the previous tour.

Arjuna Ranatunga who led the Lankans in Adelaide kept the spinner in the infield to stall remarks cast on Muralitharan. The Aussie public was known to cheer the good things in the game. But it is a sad thing to see them acting differently when they see the over 200 test wicket taker on the field.

Muralitharan likes a challenge and when the odds are stacked against him, he has the knack of bowling better. Skipper Ranatunga is confident the spinner will come through this tour with his reputation enhanced.

'Smiling, steely missile' Muralitharan told me that he treats the barbs directed at him as garbage and promised to mesmerise the opposing batsmen with his spin magic.

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