The pressure was clearly getting to the Sri Lankan during yesterday's narrow victory over Australia in Hobart, when he dropped two routine chances - one off his own bowling - with the cries of 'no-ball' which have accompanied most of his deliveries in this triangular series again echoing from the crowd. He will play against England here tomorrow - providing the rumour suggesting Sri Lanka might leave him out proves incorrect knowing he will face two of the three umpires who called him for throwing during his last tour of Australia three years ago, Ross Emerson and Tony McQuillan.

``It's unfortunate that a brilliant bowler with more than 200 Test wickets has this problem with the crowd every time he goes on the field,'' said angry Arjuna Ranatunga, the Sri Lankan captain.

``Spectators here never used to behave like that and I am really disappointed with the Australian public. Ultimately, what will happen is that people like Murali will never tour Australia and the younger generation will never be able to see his bowling. What if we did the same thing when some brilliant cricketer came to Colombo? What if he was hooted from the day he started bowling? Why is it only happening here?''

Ranatunga articulated the feelings of those who believe Muralitharan is being hounded in Australia but it is clear tomorrow's game will either see an end to the saga - if the off-spinner is not called - or cause cricket another huge controversy if Emerson remains consistent with his beliefs of three years ago and rules that Muralitharan throws.

Ranatunga wants a clear ruling to be given on his star bowler. He said: ``If someone has a problem with one of my players, they must come to me and the manager.''