Murali makes peace with Aus

The Melbourne tsunami relief match has benefitted not only the victims of the disaster but champion off-spinner Muttiah Muralitharan as well, albeit in an altogether different way.

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Muralitharan, who was undecided over whether he should tour Australia for the match or not following his bitter experience with the crowds and other unpleasant memories attached with the country, says the tsunami match on Monday had helped his wounds to heal.

"I will come to Australia from now on. Before the game it was one of the things I had to decide, whether to come again or not," Muralitharan was quoted as saying by the The Sydney Morning Herald.

Muralitharan also appreciated the fans' support during the match.

"The whole crowd was very supportive and helped to raise a lot of money that will help people in my country. It was a very enjoyable match."

The Sri Lankan, who had refused to tour Australia last year after Australian Prime Minister John Howard had reportedly implied that he was a "chucker", has also patched up with Howard.

Muralitharan, the second highest Test wickettaker behind Shane Warne, was first called for chucking at the MCG by umpire Darrell Hair in 1995.

The bowler had narrowly escaped the tsunami disaster as he left the Sri Lankan coastal city of Galle just 20 minutes before the first waves struck.