Muttiah Muralitharan, the legendary Sri Lanka spinner, has been bamboozling batsmen for almost a quarter of a century but his hopes of doing the same to English county players this summer could be dashed because of confusion on his part.
While batsmen break out in a cold sweat at the prospect of facing a man who has taken 1,334 international wickets, Muralitharan’s greatest fears are computers and examinations. And he will have to overcome them to play for Gloucestershire in Twenty20 cricket.
A recent change in Britain’s work visa rules means the world record-holder must prove his English language skills at an examination to secure a permit to play for the Bristol-based club in June, something Muralitharan is more than apprehensive about.
“I don’t know how to use computers,” he said. “I have a visitor’s visa [for Britain] till 2013, but I have to sit for an exam now to work there.” Asked if he was frightened of the computer or the exam, he said: “Both.”
“I last sat for exams in 1988 and passed six subjects for my [General Certificate of Education] Ordinary Levels. I left school afterwards. All I wanted to do was to play cricket.”
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Muralitharan, who turns 39 this month, quit international cricket after Sri Lanka’s defeat by India in the World Cup final on Saturday to concentrate on his charity work, which, ironically, includes funding IT training.
So that county cricket fans are not denied the opportunity to watch one of the game’s legendary players (apologies to batsmen), we have come up with some questions to help him to prepare.
And if they don’t help first time around, Murali will be relieved to know that the UK Border Agency allows you to keep taking the test until you pass.
Here are a few proposals for suitable questions, but feel free to add your own.
What does “doosra” mean?
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Spot the odd word out: bend, straighten, flex
What is the correct spelling? Darrell Hare or Darrell Hair?