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MICHAEL BEVAN, the Australian Test all-rounder, has pulled out of his commitment to play for Sussex this summer and will be replaced by Michael Di Venuto, a left-handed batsman and fellow countryman.

Bevan, who was to be the Sussex vice-captain, is to have a year off from his original contract because of the World Cup in England in May and June and has signed a new three-year deal to return to Hove in 2000.

Darren Lehmann, Yorkshire's overseas player last season, was angry yesterday after failing to claim a place in the 15-man Australian party leaving next month for a tour of the West Indies.

Lehmann and Adam Gilchrist lost the four-man race for middle-order batting places to Ricky Ponting and Greg Blewett in a party to be led by either Steve Waugh or Shane Warne.

Lehmann made just 49 runs at an average of 12.25 after being recalled for the last two Tests against England this summer and appears to have paid the price for a soft dismissal in the second innings in Sydney.

``Apart from that I just played aggressively and tried to do all the things I normally do,'' Lehmann said. ``A couple of times it didn't come off but to get crucified like that is disappointing. It's not a great day for me.''

Sri Lanka's controversial spinner Muttiah Muralitharan is to stay on in Australia for an operation on his bowling arm. Team manager Ranjit Fernando said: ``There's a bit of surgery needed. It's very minor and will be done in a day.''

Australian squad: A J Bichel, G S Blewett, A C Dale, M T G Elliott, J N Gillespie, -I A Healy, J L Langer, S C G MacGill, G D McGrath, C R Miller, R T Ponting, M J Slater, S K Warne, M E Waugh, S R Waugh.