Date:05/02/2008 URL: http://www.thehindu.com/2008/02/05/stories/2008020552251900.htm

Sport - Cricket

Arjuna Ranatunga seeks full report

Colombo: Concerned over the egg attack on Muttiah Muraliatharan and his teammates in Australia, Sri Lanka Cricket Chairman Arjuna Ranatunga has asked the team manager to send a full report on the incident while asking the players to remain focused on the game.

Some rowdy elements hurled eggs on Muralitharan and other Lankan cricketers in Hobart when they were returning from a restaurant to the team hotel.

“I have spoken to Murali and team manager Shriyan Samararatne and they told me that they are not upset by what had happened.

“I have asked for a full report on the incident from the manager,” Ranatunga said.

“Samararatne told me that he was not sure whether the team members were the target. I told him that the team should not lose focus on what they have gone to achieve in Australia, that is to win the tri-series,” said the island nation’s 1996 World Cup winning captain.

Following the incident, which marked a new low in Aussie fans’ turbulent relations with Muralitharan, the Lankan team’s security has been strengthened by Australian authorities.

“The Australian authorities have apologised for the incident and the Sri Lankan team’s security has been beefed up,” Sri Lanka Cricket (SLC) Secretary K. Mathivanan told PTI.