Muralitharan may tour Australia

Colombo: Sri Lanka's star off spinner Muthiah Muralitharan may tour Australia next month despite earlier reluctance after his bowling action was questioned by Australia's Prime Minister. Muralitharan softened his position during a reception held to honor him by Sri Lankan President Chandrika Kumaratunga on Saturday in Colombo. According to the officials Muralitharan gave indications that he may now play in the two-Test series in Australia beginning next month. Muralitharan, 32, became Test cricket's top wicket-taker when he overtook retired West Indian Courtney Walsh's world record of 519 during a match against Zimbabwe earlier this month. However, his bowling action has been under scrutiny since the conclusion of a home series against Australia in March, when match referee Chris Broad reported the off spinner's "doosra" delivery to the International Cricket Council for a suspect action. A doosra is a delivery that spins away from a right-handed batsman. (AP)