SYDNEY, Oct 23: Sri Lanka off-spinner Muttiah Muralitharan can expect a warm welcome from Australian crowds next month, Cricket Australia (CA) Chief Executive James Sutherland said on Tuesday.

Muralitharan, just eight wickets behind Australian Shane Warne’s world record Test tally of 708, was heckled by spectators on his only previous full tour of Australia in 1995-96 after he was no-balled due to his controversial action.

He boycotted a two-Test series in Australia in 2004 but did play for a World XI in Sydney two years ago.

“He has been to Australia before and the mere fact that he is coming is fantastic for cricket and we are very much looking forward to seeing him on our shores and doing his best,” Sutherland told reporters.

“I think it is great he is happy and feels he has matured as a cricketer to come out here but he understands that he is not coming out for a holiday, it is serious cricket,” Australia opener Matthew Hayden said. “But by the same token, our administration has made it very clear that there is no racial vilification of any kind that’s acceptable amongst our multicultural society in our venues.”

Sutherland also played down fears that Indian players could be subjected to racist taunts following the experience of Australia all-rounder Andrew Symonds during the world champions’ recent tour of the sub-continent.—Reuters