17 September 2004	Friday	01 Shaban 1425

LONDON, Sept 16: Sri Lanka's ace spinner Muttiah Muralitharan could be out of action until March as he recovers from shoulder surgery. Muralitharan underwent surgery in Australia last month and is happy to be taking his time.

He told BBC Sport: "It could be five months, seven months or eight months before I return to match action. "A better shoulder will put in better performances so I am in no rush to hurry back. I don't want to come back too early and then have more surgery."

The 32-year-old off-spinner has spent last 14 years playing Cricket and said enforced break had been a positive experience. "In some ways it is good to be having a break." "Now I know I am out for at least six months, I can take a back seat and enjoy my life and now I know what it will be like when I retire from the game."

But Test wickets world record holder said he was raring to get Back playing for Sri Lanka. He will miss Pakistan series and is now a doubt for New Zealand tour also. Muralitharan was pleased the team had been playing well in his absence.

He added: "People always thought that without me, Sri Lanka cannot win. But by beating South Africa so convincingly in Test and one-day series they have proved they can. -PPI