Kumar Sangakkara backs Muttiah Muralitharan, slams Sri Lanka Cricket for lashing out at off-spinner

New Delhi: Reacting to Sri Lankan Cricket being upset with Muttiah Muralitharan for working as a consultant for Cricket Australia, Kumar Sangakkara threw his weight behind the spin legend and slammed the Lankan board for its remarks.

Sri Lanka cricket chief Thilanga Sumathipala on Monday said it was ironic that Muralitharan was coaching a team from Australia given his history.

"Professionally it is okay for Murali (as he is more popularly known) to coach any foreign team, but the irony is that he is supporting Australia which tried to get him out of cricket," Sumathipala said.

Sanga, who has been playing T20 cricket after announcing retirement from international cricket last year, took to Twitter to rally behind Murali in a series of tweets.

Murali is a great son of Sri Lanka and he doesn't have to defend himself. He love his country. He is free to consult or coach anyone. If - — Kumar Sangakkara (@KumarSanga2) July 25, 2016

 

SLC had ever asked him to coach Sri Lanka he always will. His consultancy with anyone is a way he can give back to the game. He has given - — Kumar Sangakkara (@KumarSanga2) July 25, 2016

 

His best to his country on the field and off. He is always available for his country all they have to do is ask. We shud b proud of him — Kumar Sangakkara (@KumarSanga2) July 25, 2016

The wicketkeeper batsman further said that Murali would agree to help young Sri Lankan spinners for free and that the board should sit and sort out the issue with him.

If any Sri Lankan spinner walks up to Muri and asks him about bowling he will be the first to spend as much time as needed to help. Free. — Kumar Sangakkara (@KumarSanga2) July 25, 2016

 

If there are any major issues I am sure that @cricketsrilanka can sit with Murali and iron them out. — Kumar Sangakkara (@KumarSanga2) July 25, 2016

Murali, who till date remains to be the highest wicket taker in Tests with 800 wickets, was twice cited by Australian umpires for a suspect action but he was cleared both times by the game`s governing body.