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Shirajiv Sirimane reporting from Dubai....

Sri Lanka spinning wizard Muttiah Muralitharan will become the highest wicket-taker of all time predicted the first Coach of the star, Sunil Fernando.

Fernando who was also the Coach of the Sri Lanka Under 15 Cricket team for the Asia Cup in UAE told the 'Daily News' this was why there is much discrimination and opposition for him.

"When Murali was playing school cricket there was no one to protest against his action. This was the same when he started playing Test Cricket. But when some teams saw that he was going to be a major threat there was a well organized conspiracy to destroy his Test career".

He said that this started from Australia and some other countries followed.

"But you see none of the Asain countries have protested against his action. This proves the fact that a few countries are doing this deliberately".

The Coach said that Murali is a hard nut to crack and will never bow down to pressure. "He is a good fighter and I am confident that in time to come he will be the number one bowler and the highest wicket-taker in both the one day and in the Test arena".

He said that this is the factor that the games bible Wisden had recognised. Fernando recalled that it was by sheer luck that Muralitharan came to play test cricket.

"While I was coaching the St Anthony's cricket team in Kandy I saw a tall boy playing soft ball cricket. One day I asked him if he likes to play leather ball cricket and come to attend practices. Murali said he has to ask his mother and the following day his mother brought him and said to coach him.

Fernando recalled that Murali was doing well as a fast bowler and as an 11 year old he was selected to the under 13 team and subsequently to the under 15 team. "He was a good paceman and used to take around 3 wickets in each match".

Fernando said that when Murali was seeking selection for the College senior team he felt that due to Murali's build he would not find a place in the team. "So I suggested him to bowl off-spins and soon he became an expert in it".

Fernando who is now in charge of Junior players said that he cannot take full credit for Murali's success.

"I just guided him and it was sheer dedication and improvisation that put Murali in today's place. I do not think that I can produce another 'Murali' since I do not think that there would never be a player so dedicated to cricket like him".

He said that Murali has never forgotten his past. "After his shoulder injury he wanted me to check his action and he still calls me to inquire as to how I am".

He said that this is a quality that he admires in Murali. "After winning the World cup he arranged a coaching camp for me in UAE".

He said that seeing Muralitharan in action in matches makes him very happy in life. "Another significant moment in my life was to see three of my players, Ruwan Kalpage, Piyal Wijetunge and Murali playing for Sri Lanka in one match".

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