PC, exam scare halting Murali from UK cricket stint
April 6th, 2011 - 12:57 pm ICT by ANIColombo, Apr. 6 (ANI): Sri Lankan off-spinner Muttiah Muralitharan is struggling to qualify to play English county cricket this year because he is scared of computers and examinations.
A recent change in Britain’s work visa rules means the world record holder must prove his English language skills at an examination to secure a permit to play for Gloucestershire in June, the Sydney Morning Herald reports.
“I have a visitor’s visa (for Britain) till 2013, but I have to sit for an exam now to work there,” he told reporters on Tuesday, adding he was scared to write his exams on a computer.
He added: “I don’t know how to use computers.”
Asked if he was frightened of the computer or the exam, he said: “Both.”
“I last sat for exams in 1988 and passed six subjects for my (General Certificate of Education) Ordinary Levels. I left school afterwards. All I wanted to do was to play cricket,” he said.
Muralitharan, who turns 39 this month, quit international cricket after Sri Lanka’s defeat in the World Cup final against India on Saturday with a record 800 Test and 534 one-day wickets under his belt.
Despite his aversion to computers, Muralitharan runs several charities, which fund IT training, maintains schools and donates supplies to thousands of underprivileged children.
He plans to travel to Australia, Malaysia and the US to raise money from the expatriate Tamil community and wellwishers. (ANI)
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- Murali's achievements will inspire new generation of young cricketers: Pawar - Jul 17, 2010
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- Murali's Centre of Excellence stint would be a priceless for young Oz spinners: Healy - Feb 10, 2011
- Muralitharan's last hurrah at home - Mar 29, 2011
- Muralitharan racing against time to be fit for semifinal - Mar 28, 2011
- Australia boycott of Sri Lanka will hit world cricket: Muralidharan - Jul 14, 2011
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