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Murali wants to play for Lancashire next year
By Marlon Fernandopulle
World record holder for the highest number of test wickets Muttiah Muralitharan is all set to represent English Cricket County Lancashire during the next summer.

The Sri Lankan off spinner who has already enjoyed two brief but successful seasons in 1999 and 2001 with Lancashire and 2003 with Kent is expected to play for a major part of the English summer next year as Sri Lanka has no commitments during this period. The Sri Lankan off spinner who is currently recovering from his shoulder operation returned from India after a private visit to that country.Speaking from his residence in Kundasale Murali said ,"Sri Lanka Cricket has been informed of my desire to play for Lancashire.However I am awaiting official permission from SLC regarding my request".

Murali who underwent a shoulder operation in August is also expected to visit Australia and meet up with his surgeon Dr David Young in mid November to review his progress.It is only after this consultation with Dr Young that Muralitharan will begin to bowl again.

When asked how he is progressing after his operation Muralitharan said,"It's 42 days now and I am recovering well.But it's only after 90 days that I will slowly start to bowl again".It was evident that the champion off spinner who was once counting the number of wickets is now counting the number of days until he can start bowling again.

However he has no regrets over his long absence from the game as he is involved in a host of social and charitable work that is keeping him occupied. Muralitharan is expected to travel to Sri Lanka’s Northern Capital Jaffna shortly to take part in a United Nations sponsored World Food Programme which is part of his role as a UN Ambassador.

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