Howard's remarks put off Murali on last tour

COLOMBO: Sri Lankan spin legend Muttiah Muralitharan has disclosed that he decided to tour Down Under for the current cricket tour because Australian Prime Minister John Howard stayed away from making unpleasant remarks on him.
    
"The last time (2004) the Prime Minister made comments and that put me off. This time I have nothing to worry about," Muralitharan was quoted as saying by 'The Sunday Times'.
    
Three years ago Howard stepped into controversy over the legality of Muralitharan's action after an Australian laboratory declared that the bowler was bending his arm more than the stipulated margin following an authorized bio-mechanics Test.
    
But Muralitharan has put back the past to appear in what may be his last Test series on Australian soil. Not even his former captain Arjuna Ranatunga could influence his decision to turn his back on the Australians this time.
    
Ranatunga's had advised the spin wizard to skip the Australian tour on fear of hostile remarks.
    
The first Test starts in Brisbane on November 8 and the trophy will be presented on November 20 after the second and final match in Hobart.