MELBOURNE, 17 June 2004 — Shane Warne has described world record Test wicket-taker Muttiah Muralitharan as “thin-skinned” for withdrawing from Sri Lanka’s tour of Australia.
“I think it is the wrong decision not to tour,” Warne was quoted as saying by Melbourne’s Herald Sun newspaper yesterday.
“He should keep doing what he loves doing and that’s playing cricket. He has a lot of critics, particularly in Australia, but you can’t afford to let the critics get to you.”
The Australian leg spinner said Muralitharan’s decision was “thin-skinned” and added that he hoped the Sri Lankan had not been influenced by his controversial former captain, Arjuna Ranatunga.
“Hopefully, he has not been listening too much to Arjuna, but he’s always stirring the pot,” said Warne. “I was looking forward to going head to head with Murali again. I’m really disappointed that he has decided not to come to Australia.
“It’s disappointing for everyone, the players and the public. I suppose he will not tour a lot of countries now.
Warne trails Muralitharan’s world record of 527 wickets by 10.
However, the 34-year-old Warne broke his hand while batting for English county side Hampshire last week and is doubtful for July’s two-Test series against Sri Lanka in Darwin and Cairns.
Sri Lanka’s controversial and unorthodox off-spinner had been considering whether to pull out of the tour, which starts later this month, after fresh doubts over his bowling culminated in Australian Prime Minister John Howard calling him a “chucker”.
Howard told a Sydney radio station yesterday he did not know why Muralitharan had withdrawn from the Australia tour.
“It’s a pity but he has stated there are personal reasons for it and I’ll accept that.”
Asked if he should accept some blame, Howard added: “I don’t believe so.”
In explaining his earlier comments, Howard said: “I was relying very much on the findings of that examination that was carried out in Perth and I think the conclusion of that had something to say about the ‘doosra’, but look, he’s very welcome to come.”
Lara Ton Leads Windies to Win in First Tour Match
In London, a century from Brian Lara helped the West Indies to a comfortable 96-run win over Ireland yesterday in their first tour match before the one-day triangular series with England and New Zealand later this month.
Lara stroked 106 off 99 balls but was the only West Indian batsman to score more than fifty in their 242 all out off 46.2 overs in Belfast. Paceman Ravi Rampaul was the pick of the bowlers taking three for 25 from six overs as Ireland were dismissed for 146 in 37.4 overs.
Ireland were preparing for the ICC Intercontinental Cup with other smaller cricket playing nations.
The triangular tournament starts on June 24 when New Zealand face England at Old Trafford in Manchester. West Indies play their first game against New Zealand at Edgbaston in Birmingham on June 26.
