Muralitharan might have cleared all biomechanical tests, but his closest rival Warne is not convinced and wants him to be tested in a match situation.
MELBOURNE: Muttiah Muralitharan might have cleared all kinds of biomechanical tests to prove that his action is genuine, but his closest rival Shane Warne is not convinced yet and wants the Sri Lankan to be tested in a match situation.
On the cusp of breaking Warne's world record of 708 Test wickets, Muralitharan faces this googly from Warne, who had openly made his dislike known for the off-spinner on earlier occasions as well.
"I agree with Terry Jenner (Warne's coach) that he should be tested under match conditions. I'm sure he is sick of it all, but it would be well worth the exercise and hassle," Warne wrote in his column in 'Herald Sun'.
"I think for his own peace of mind and everyone in world cricket, do the testing in the heat of battle -- a Test match. Surely the ICC, Sri Lanka and Murali would want that."
After doubts emerged on Muralitharan's action during Sri Lanka's infamous 1995 tour of Australia, he has undertaken biomechanical tests in Perth, Hong Kong and England, and has been repeatedly cleared.
Warne also advised his team not to get bogged down by Muralitharan and play to their strength.
"Get in and bat and let Muttiah Muralitharan, the whirly-twirly man, bowl last. Play to your strengths."
Warne gave a thumbs-up to the Australian crowd who have been repeatedly accused over the years by Sri Lanka of being racist and particularly harassing Muralitharan with taunts of chucker.
"I am sick of hearing that the Sri Lankans get a hard time from our crowds. Australian crowds support the home team and acknowledge the opposition if they deserve it, just the same as anywhere else. Get over it, Sri Lanka. They would be better off focusing on their on-field troubles than worrying about comments coming over the fence."
Turning up the typical Australian heat on Sri Lanka, Warne said the visitors were "timid" in the way they played the first Test match and lost by a huge margin.
"They were too timid and let the Aussies dictate terms... The Sri Lankans are a steady international side in our conditions - at best." he said.
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