Murali would have been welcomed

By Justin Langer Australian Test bastman in Darwin

Without Murali Sri Lanka will be searching for bowlers willing to fill the void

The number one subject consuming the lead-up to this two-Test series against Sri Lanka has been the withdrawal of world record holder Muttiah Muralitharan.

We have heard all sorts of reasons why he is not here.

Some of these include a lack of respect from the Australian public, criticism from our Prime Minister John Howard, disappointment that Sri Lanka are made to play Tests in the outback of Australia and finally because of a chance to take a break to extend his playing career.

It is disappointing that Murali will not be playing.

With him in the side, Sri Lanka are a very, very good international Test team who have earned respect over the years for their fierce competitive nature.

Regardless of the opinions of his controversial 'doosra', the Sri Lankan superstar would have been welcomed with open arms here in Australia.

His brilliance is one of the mysteries of modern day sport and it is this mystique which brings people to the cricket.

It is a shame for the cricket-starved people in this part of Australia to miss the opportunity to witness one of the true marvels of the game.

Without him Sri Lanka will be searching for bowlers willing to fill an enormous void.

Chaminda Vaas is a world-class left-hander and Nayan Zoysa has the ability to be equally as good.

The facilities here in Darwin are world class

Over the last four days Glenn McGrath, Simon Katich and myself had the opportunity to play in the Chief Minister's XI here in Darwin.

Apart from valuable match practice, the game gave us the chance to see Sri Lanka's next crop of bowlers who will be vying for a spot in the Test team on Thursday.

Most impressive was young speedster Lasith Malinga who took six wickets in the our first innings.

Malinga's bowling action is quite unique in that he delives the ball like Australian great Jeff Thomson. He is a true 'slinger' who bowls with good pace and uses his unusual action to surprise his opposing batsman.

He is only short and slight in stature, but he is not shy in bowling quick bouncers and toe-crushing yorkers. It is going to be very interesting to see whether the Sri Lankan selectors go into the Test match with such a raw but undeniably talented young bowler.

Shane Warne, Darren Lehmann and Stuart MacGill have now arrived in Darwin from England, while the rest of the squad fly from Brisbane where they have been preparing at the new Centre of Excellence.

The facilities here in Darwin are world class. Many countries around the world would envy this cricket ground and its climate

In Sri Lanka earlier this year we gave up first-innings leads in all three matches but won the series 3-0. It was one of the most competitive and satisfying series I have ever played in.

Sri Lanka, even without Murali, will be very competitive and a team we hold in high regard and respect. If their replacement bowlers can step up we will have to be prepared for a tough fight.