November 05 Tuesday 2002
SA tour is key for Murali

JOHANNESBURG: Sri Lankan spin-king Muttiah Muralitharan has stressed how important his sides' tour to South Africa is as they seek to build confidence ahead of 2003 Cricket World Cup being hosted by the Africans. He told the Sunday Times, "The tour to South Africa is very important, because, going into the World Cup, what we are looking for is confidence. "If the batsman come into runs and the bowlers take wickets here and in Australia, then we will come back very confident.'' 

Sri Lanka face South Africa in two Tests and five ODI's before the touring Asians depart for Australia where they will be the third team, along with England and Australia, competing in VB Series in Australia. 

"Yes, we always seem to play against the Australians before a World Cup,'' remarked Murali who pointed out, "We did it in 1996 and then again the last time round in 1999.''