Cricket: Muralitharan leaves England tour

LONDON - Muttiah Muralitharan has pulled out of Sri Lanka's cricket tour of England because of a family illness, the BBC website reported today.

The 34-year-old off-spinner, the second most successful bowler in test history with 635 wickets, will fly to Madras to be with his young son and he is not expected to return.

A Sri Lanka team spokesman said: "At the moment we really don't know what the situation is. We hope to find out more today."

Muralitharan was a huge thorn in England's side when Sri Lanka earned a 1-1 draw in the test series. He had been expected to play in the third ODI on Saturday. Sri Lanka lead the five-match series 2-0.

- REUTERS