Sri Lanka had no plans to abandon match - manager

The Sri Lankans were confused and desperate when umpire Ross Emerson no-balled the 26-year-old off-spinner during a tri-nations series clash with England at Adelaide Oval, he said.

After a heated exchange with Emerson, skipper Arjuna Ranatunga led his team to the edge of the ground to consult match referee Peter van der Merwe and to telephone Sri Lankan Cricket Board officials.

The delay lasted 12 minutes before the Sri Lankans returned to the middle and play resumed, with Muralitharan sending down another 5.2 overs without being no-balled again.

Fernando conceded the team was slightly apprehensive going into the match because both umpires Emerson and Tony McQuillan called Muralitharan three years ago but the no-ball still took them by surprise.

``There was a bit of desperation as soon as this happened because I think it took everyone by surprise by virtue of the fact that Muralitharan was fair and no one expected this to happen,'' Fernando said.

``Arjuna walked out with his team merely to get clarification as to how we should proceed ... the Sri Lankan board at no stage would have wanted the match to have been abandoned in a situation like this.

``There was no question as to whether the match was to be called off.''

Fernando said there was no difference between Muralitharan's bowling action as it was when he was cleared by an International Cricket Council committee in 1996 and his action today.

But he said it was sad to see Australian crowds heckling the young player and admitted the chucking controversy had probably taken its toll on the bowler.

``I think he has been putting up a very bold front but you might consider and say that he must be tormented inside, there's no question about it,'' Fernando said.