LONDON, June 23: Muttiah Muralitharan has left Sri Lanka's tour of England early because of a family illness, it was reported on Thursday.

Murali is flying to Chennai in India because his child is unwell and is not expected to return for the remainder of the tour.

The off-spinner was once again the mainstay of Sri Lanka's attack during the Test series against England, taking 24 wickets at an average of 16.87 as the three-match encounter was drawn 1-1.

But he has been less of a factor during the ongoing one-day series, taking two wickets at an average of 49 apiece,

“He has already left (the team hotel) and is flying out tomorrow (Friday),”a team spokesman told the Press Association.

“His child is not well. At the moment we really don't know what the situation is. We hope to find out more soon.”—AFP