Test cricket's leading wicket taker Muttiah Muralitharan has said he will boycott Sri Lanka's tour of Australia next month because of comments made by Australian prime minister John Howard about his bowling action.
Howard made the comments in the wake of the International Cricket Council's (ICC) decision that Muralitharan's doosra delivery, which breaks away from right-handed batsmen, falls foul of its regulations on throwing.
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But Sri Lankan captain Marvan Atapattu questioned whether Muralitharan, who holds the world record for Test match wickets with 523, had made up his mind fully on the issue.
"I don't think he has made a decision as such," Atapattu said.
"Murali is a guy who will not miss even a practice game because he loves playing so much.
"We'll try and talk him out of it but I don't think he's made a firm decision as yet. Nothing is finalised."
However, Sri Lanka team manager Ajit Jaysekera suggested that off-spinner Muralitharan would be true to his word.
"He's very upset by what has been said by the Australian prime minister, and has virtually made up his mind that he will not be touring Australia," Jaysekera said.
"That's his view right now. I don't think he will change his mind.
"The Sri Lankan board will support him whatever he decides.
"What has happened over the last few days has upset him and this is the straw that broke the camel's back."
The president of the Sri Lanka cricket board, Roshan de Silva, criticised Howard for his comments.
"Muralitharan is devastated, particularly because of the comments coming from people in high office who are trying to undermine him," de Silva said.
De Silva confirmed that the board had asked Muralitharan not to bowl the doosra, and said he would pursue the issue with the ICC.
"We have to respect the ICC protocols, and we have advised him to refrain from bowling the doosra until we are clear on this matter," de Silva said.
"We have plenty of scientific data, and we will be taking this up with the ICC."
