Warne defends Muralitharan

Warne defends Muralitharan

COLOMBO: Australian leg-spin genius Shane Warne brushed aside on Saturday the controversy over rival Muttiah Muralitharan's bowling action, saying he did not believe the Sri Lankan spinner was a chucker.

"The most important thing is that he (Muralitharan) does not chuck," Warne was quoted as saying in the Colombo-based Daily News.

Warne is currently in Sri Lanka to raise funds for tsunami survivors. His closest rival to the world bowling record is Muralitharan, who has 532 Test scalps.

"I think it's the way he bowls that has raised a few eyebrows," said Warne.

The Australian also played down his spin rivalry with Muralitharan, saying he had always got along well with the Sri Lankan.

"There has been so much said and written about us going for the world record, rivalry and things like that. I don't think there's so much rivalry. We always get along OK." -- AFP