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Lancashire's bid to capture Muttiah Muralitharan was boosted today with a turnabout by the Sri Lankan authorities.

Until this weekend it seemed they would prevent their ace spinner from joining the Old Trafford club after the World Cup in June. But today their attitude appeared to have changed.

Lancashire officials were trying to contact the Sri Lankan board to clarify the situation, and a Red Rose spokesman said: ``We are optimistic.''

Sri Lanka's main argument against Murali joining Lancashire was that he needed rest, and that he would be required for a triangular tournament with Australia and India in mid-August followed by a Test series with the Aussies in September.

But there are now serious doubts that the triangular series will go ahead, and with Murali expressing his determination to come to Old Trafford, the Sri Lankan board appeared ready to change their minds on condition that Lancashire did not over-use him.

If the protracted negotiations result in Murali arriving at Old Trafford in June, he will probably be available for 10 weeks before linking up again with Sri Lanka in early September.