Muttiah Muralitharan to be flown to Australia for Examination

Off-spinner Muttiah Muralitharan is to be flown to Melbourne, Australia for examination by specialists to ascertain whether his shoulder injury requires surgery, following his return to Sri Lanka with the team on Friday.

Muralitharan suffered a slight dislocation and torn ligaments to his left shoulder while fielding in the Sharjah Cup 2002 final versus Pakistan in Sharjah on Wednesday, 17th April. He was treated immediately by doctors in Sharjah.

Muralitharan remains in the Sri Lanka squad for the 3-Test series in England, which begins on the 26th of April 2002. The BCCSL has not replaced him in the squad. A final decision will be taken after his examination in Melbourne. The time period that Muralitharan will be unavailable for the tour will be ascertained only after he is examined by specialists.

The Sri Lanka squad leaves for England on the 21st of April, and Muralitharan is expected to join his teammates there when he is fit.