Michael Atherton, the cornerstone of England's batting, could well be in for a rude awakening when he takes guard to Muralitharan for the first time in the forthcoming three match test series in Sri Lanka.

According to a recent AFP report, Atherton has claimed that Muralitharan, "although he doesn't have a mystery ball – like Saqlain Mushtaq's wrong'un which leaves the right hander – Muralitharan gets turn off the pitch and makes it dip in the air."

However, for the last two years, Muralitharan has perfected a `mystery' ball, which can move appreciably away from the batsman and is bowled with an almost indecipherable change in his weird action.

The South African batsmen privately admit that they could still not pick it after six tests matches. Dav Whatmore, the Sri Lanka coach, who keeps to Muralitharan before every match, claims that he struggles to pick it after a couple of days without practice.

Atherton, a former team mate at Lancashire in 1998 when Muralitharan claimed 66 county championship wickets in just appearances, may well be indulging in some light kidology with Sri Lanka's prized off spinner. However, if he is not, then serious questions will have to be asked about the team's preparation.

Since his short spell with Lancashire Muralitharan has used his `mystery' ball with increasing frequency and he now lays claim to three different deliveries: "I can bowl the off-spinner, the one that goes straight and the floater away from the right-hander. In addition, I can also vary the angle of delivery, the flight or pace."

Few doubt that Muralitharan holds the key to the series. If the English batsmen can play him well, then Sri Lanka will surely be vulnerable. However, it will be no easy task. No international batsman in recent times has consistently countered his alarming ability and he took an astonishing 75 wickets in just 10 test matches in 2000.

The England team management will be keeping a close eye on the progress of his groin injury, which prevented him from playing in the final Test Match against South Africa. Unfortunately for them, the news from the New Zealand, where Sri Lanka are currently preparing for a five match one-day series, is that he has made a good recovery and could even play in tomorrows first game.

Atherton's strange quip apart, the English players have heaped generous praise upon Muralitharan in the past few days. Nasser Hussain, speaking at London Heathrow prior to the teams departure said, "He's a great bowler and could even end up as the greatest Test bowler of all time."

Perhaps it's all a clever plan concocted by the psychoanalysts, who see an opportunity to tweak the delicate self-confidence of Sri Lanka's support bowlers. Or, as is more likely, they are more comfortable beginning the series as underdogs. Whatever the reason though, it makes a refreshing change from the clumsy and insensitive remarks made by David Lloyd in the aftermath of Sri Lanka's first ever test victory on English soil at the Oval in 1998.

© CricInfo