Sri Lanka's master spinner Muttiah Muralitharan has all but ruled himself out of the second Test against Pakistan, saying he has not recovered from a knee injury. Muralitharan, the world's leading wicket-taker in Test cricket, suffered a knee injury in practice and was removed from the Sri Lankan team a couple of days before the first Test. Sri Lanka went on to a dramatic victory inside four days, only their third Test win without the services of the wily off-spinner.
"I have not yet recovered from the injury," Muralitharan said. "I don't think it will happen before the second Test, so I won't be available." The second Test starts in Colombo on Sunday. In the first Test, Sri Lanka's selectors replaced Muralitharan with left-arm spinner Rangana Herath, who was rushed in from England where he was playing in the Staffordshire League. Herath turned in a man-of-the-match performance, claiming four second-innings wickets as Pakistan were bowled out for 117 while chasing 168 for victory.
"It's a terrific win and a superb team performance," Muralitharan said. "Herath's performance was particularly very good. He is an experienced bowler and I'm very happy he has done well. "I didn't give him any advice. He is an experienced bowler and has been around for many years." @Email:sports@thenational.ae