Confusion over Murali joining Bengal for Ranji trophy

Muttiah Muralitharan has said he is yet to sign a contract to play for Bengal in the 2008-09 Indian domestic season and that his priority will be to represent Sri Lanka. He said he was still unsure about his availability though the Cricket Association of Bengal (CAB) had got clearances from Sri Lanka Cricket and the BCCI.

The player's manager had also earlier confirmed to Cricinfo that he would be available to play about four matches for Bengal, subject to no clashes with international commitments.

"The Lankan board chief [executive], Duleep Mendis, has sent across a fax to us, mentioning that Muralitharan will be available for Bengal in the upcoming first-class engagements," Jagmohan Dalmiya, the CAB president, said earlier. However, the CAB were unsure which games Murali would play.

Murali said he was eagerly awaiting the home series against Zimbabwe, comprising two Tests and three ODIs. "I am looking forward to Zimbabwe's tour beginning November 7. Then, in January we play in Bangladesh, so it remains to be seen whether I am at all available for Bengal," Muralitharan told PTI.

With the Ranji Trophy beginning on November 3, and Bengal playing away to Assam in their opener, chances are slim that Muralitharan may play a crucial role in the team's bid to perform well in the Ranji Trophy Plate League, which will help them earn promotion to the Super League next season.

Muralitharan said he was also contracted with the IPL franchise, Chennai Super Kings, for three years and was committed to them as well. Having finished as runners-up in the inaugural season of the league, he will also represent the Super Kings in the Champions Twenty20 League to be held from December 3-10.

The group phase of the Plate League is scheduled from November 3-December 4 with Bengal playing five games before the knock-out stages.

More free wickets for Murali then?

Murali said he was eagerly awaiting the home series against Zimbabwe, comprising two Tests and three ODIs. "I am looking forward to Zimbabwe's tour beginning November 7. Then, in January we play in Bangladesh, so it remains to be seen whether I am at all available for Bengal," Muralitharan told PTI.

The Aussies are getting soft here in FB.

And why would Murali want to play for a plate league team?

Good to see this!
The presence of international cricketers in Ranji cricket will hugely benefit Indian cricket.

SG wrote:Murali said he was eagerly awaiting the home series against Zimbabwe, comprising two Tests and three ODIs. "I am looking forward to Zimbabwe's tour beginning November 7. Then, in January we play in Bangladesh, so it remains to be seen whether I am at all available for Bengal," Muralitharan told PTI.

Says it all really

Murali is arguably the greatest cricketer ever to come out of Asia.

PlanetPakistan wrote:Murali is the greatest Baseball Pitcher ever to come out of Asia.

Fixed.

Jealous English sooks.

Aye, we could only dream of having a bigger chucker as the Lankans...

All we have is Jimmy Kirtley FFS

No I meant you were jealous of Murali's good looks.

Farkin CBER!!

furriner wrote:No I meant you were jealous of Murali's good looks.

Who would NOT be?

A crazy boggle eyed axe murderer?

Those eyes remind me of KING....viv! Only that Murali is probably a better cricketer than Viv!

seriously though What a player!

PlanetPakistan wrote:Only that Murali is probably a better cricketer than Viv!

no need for the probably

The One wrote:

PlanetPakistan wrote:Only that Murali is probably a better Baseballer than Viv!

no need for the probably

Fixed.

PlanetPakistan wrote:

furriner wrote:No I meant you were jealous of Murali's good looks.

Who would NOT be?

Handsome is as handsome does.