Muttiah Muralitharan clarifies spat with SLC officials

Current Australia bowling consultant Muttiah Muralitharan has clarified the standoff between him and the Sri Lankan Cricket Board (SLC) Official following the spat that occurred the previous day.

The 44-year old posted a video on YouTube and lashed out at the SLC for making him the scapegoat, accusing them of being incapable and knowing nothing about cricket, looking for a fall guy because they know they are going to lose the upcoming series, and overturned tables on who can be called a traitor to Sri Lanka.

Muralitharan is a clear legend of the game and has served Sri Lankan cricket for the better part of almost 2 decades. He also happens to be the highest wicket take of all time. SLC President Thilanga Sumathipala has accused Muralitharan of only damaging his reputation by agreeing to be a part of the Cricket Australia camp.

Earlier, Sumathipala had lodged a complaint with Cricket Australia accusing Muralitharan of bullying officials at Kandy to allow the Australians to practice on the wicket that was supposed to host the match.

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“If Sri Lanka loses, they (the board) will say it is because of Murali,” he said in a recorded statement on Monday. “They have no right to accuse me of being a traitor. Have they done one-hundredth of what I have contributed to cricket in Sri Lanka?

“This is a political game to cover their shortcomings. I am being used as a pawn to cover their failings.”

“They don’t give an opportunity to talented Sri Lankan coaches and prefer to bring white people from abroad. That affects our economy too because we have to pay them dollars that leave the country. That is treachery.”

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