September 28 Saturday 2002
Muralitharan to tour Australia

COLOMBO: Sri Lankan spinner Muttiah Muralitharan will tour Australian this summer after concerns he might not join the squad so as to avoid any bowling controversies.

Sri Lanka will play in the triangular one-day series against Australia and England.

Muralitharan's previous tours to Australia in 1995-96 and 1998-99 were highlighted by controversy after he was called for chucking by Australian umpires. Doubts over the legality of his action were again raised by Australian vice-captain Adam Gilchrist earlier this year. But the bowler himself has had no problems with umpires since his last Australian tour and has been cleared on several occasions by the International Cricket Council.

The upcoming tournament in Australia is seen as crucial preparation for next year's World Cup in South Africa.