Muralitharan ‘forgives and forgets’ Hair but not Howard
http://www.senore.com/Cricket/Muttiah-Muralitharan-c78157 says that he has ‘forgiven and forgotten’ umpire Darrell Hair, for his no-ball calls that had threatened to derail the Sri Lankan spin wizard’s career, but is still rankled by the chucker jibe that came from the
former Australian Prime Minister, John Howard.
Murali was called for chucking during the 1995-96 Boxing Day Test at the Melbourne Cricket Ground (MCG) but went on to pick up a record 800 Test wickets before retiring from the format in July earlier this year.
Murali said that he has forgiven the umpire for his mistake and is not going to recall the bitter incidents of his past anymore.
"I have forgiven [Hair] and forgotten," said Murali while talking to the media reporters. "I had been very upset with him but I have let it go. I am not upset with him. People do make mistakes and I think he made a mistake. My action
has been cleared. But I'm not going to look at the past anymore".
Murali is once again in Australia to play a limited-over series against the mighty Aussies and his teammates are pretty excited about having him along as the Lankans look to the 2011 World Cup. "It's a joy to see him play. For us to
have him in our side is a huge boost of confidence", said the Sri Lankan captain, Kumar Sangakkara.
http://www.senore.com/Cricket/Australia-c746 has, most of the time, been an unwelcoming place for the magical spinner with its crowd being a bit abusive towards the bowler. Nevertheless, Murali says he is ready to face that small segment of the crowd.
"It has been a bit difficult here for me sometimes but mainly it has just been one or two people in the crowd saying some things," said the spin wizard. "That is part of the game and as a sportsman you just have to accept that some
people just don't like you”.
The spin prodigy of the international cricket, however, refused to forget and forgive the former Australian Prime Minister, Mr. John Howard, for his comments he made in 2004.
"What I really didn't like was the comments Howard made. That was why I didn't come on the next tour here. From someone in his position, that was worse than anything the crowd said". The incident later became the key reason behind
Howard’s rejection for the post of ICC vice-president in June.
Sri Lanka’s team, during its recent trip to Australia, will play a T20 followed by three One Day Internationals.
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