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Murali Going Home!!

Eyes_Only

International Debutant
Just read this on Cricinfo. Do you guys think it's because of his shoulder or because he doesn't want to risk being called again??

MURALITHARAN OUT OF NATWEST SERIES
Charlie Austin

Muttiah Muralitharan has pulled out of the Sri Lankan squad that will take part
in the forthcoming NatWest Series of one-day internationals against England and
India starting on June 27 at Trent Bridge.

The off-spinner has been suffering from a shoulder injury that kept him out of
the first Test at Lord's and he was not fully fit for the matches that followed
at Edgbaston and Old Trafford. Nevertheless, he bowled 64 overs in Birmingham
and took five wickets, while he delivered another 62 overs in Manchester and
took another three wickets. Despite his considerable efforts, Sri Lanka lost
both matches.

Now the Sri Lankan tour management are worried about the effect on his future
fitness if he continues to play while carrying the injury and have decided that
he should return home to prepare for the forthcoming series against Bangladesh.
A replacement player has been requested.

Chandra Schaffter, the tour manager, said: "The team management have decided to
send Murali back to Sri Lanka. We did not feel he was fit enough to risk playing
in a one-day tournament."

Physiotherapist Alex Kontouri added: "There's no problem with him batting or
bowling, but there would be a risk with him diving in the field."

Better news for the Sri Lankans is that Marvan Atapattu's injured finger is
making enough progress for him to be able to play against Gloucestershire in
Bristol on Sunday, while pace bowler Nuwan Zoysa's groin is not yet 100 per cent
but he should be fit enough to play in that game as well having come through a
test against West Indies A at Hove on Wednesday.



[Edited on 6/21/02 by Eyes_Only]
 

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