November 16, 2007	Friday	Ziqa’ad 05, 1428

HOBART, Nov 15: Shane Warne and Muttiah Muralitharan laughed and joked their way through the Warne-Muralitharan Trophy launch on Thursday, saying reports of tensions between them had been a “miscommunication”.

Muralitharan had been upset by Warne’s call earlier this week for the Sri Lankan’s controversial bowling action to be tested under match conditions by the ICC.

He said on Wednesday that he was “very disappointed with what he (Warne) said” and the Australian “must be a miserable man in his life”.“Maybe he just doesn’t want me to pass his record,” said the Sri Lankan spinner, who needs seven more Test wickets to overtake the retired Warne’s world record tally of 708.

But on Thursday the world’s two greatest Test wicket-takers had kissed and made up before fronting a press conference to launch the trophy now at stake in every Australia-Sri Lanka Test series.

“There is no issue at all,” a smiling Muralitharan said as he sat beside Warne.

“I thought he said something about my bowling action and then I said he was a miserable man.

“We just talked to each other and patched it up. It was a miscommunication more than anything else.”Warne said he discussed the issue with Muralitharan after the Sri Lankan’s angry response made headlines in today’s papers.

“I spoke to Murali about it this morning so I’m pretty happy actually, I’m not that miserable,” said Warne, adding the two were good friends.

“I’ve got absolutely no issue with Murali and his action or anything like that.

“All I’ve said in my column that I wrote was that commonsense should prevail.

“If umpires or anybody has any issue with actions, I’m not saying Murali’s but anyone’s in world cricket, then they should be tested in match conditions.

“I’ve enjoyed having it (the world record). I’m happy to pass it on to Murali. I think he’ll take a thousand (wickets).”

Since doubts emerged on Muralitharan’s action during Sri Lanka’s infamous 1995 tour of Australia, he has undertaken several biomechanical lab tests, and has been repeatedly cleared.In his recent newspaper column on Tuesday, Warne wrote: “Speaking of Murali, I agree with Terry Jenner (Warne’s coach) that he should be tested under match conditions. I’m sure he is sick of it all, but it would be well worth the exercise and hassle.

“I think for his own peace of mind and everyone in world cricket, do the testing in the heat of battle – a Test match. Surely the ICC, Sri Lanka and Murali would want that.”—Agencies