Muralitharan still with a chance to play in Twenty20 WC

London, Sept 2 (UNI) It appeared to be moral boosting news for Sri Lankan cricket fans after British media reported that spin wizard Muttiah Muralitharan might still play in the inaugural World Twenty20 despite suffering an elbow injury.

The 35-year-old champion offie was earlier ruled out of next month's mega event after he strained his bicep above his right elbow while bowling for Lancashire against Kent last Wednesday.

But contrary to the earlier report, no decision would be taken in this matter until he returns to Sri Lanka with scans of his injury.

''It's better news than it could have been but it's up to Sri Lanka to assess it,'' Lancashire physio Sam Byrne told BBC Sport.

''We got the results back and basically it is just showing some inflammation around the bicep.

''We're sending the scans back with Murali to Sri Lanka and they'll manage it and constantly reassess it over the next week,'' he said.

Though Muralitharan is also in danger of missing the home ODI series against England in early October, he should be fit for the two Tests against Australia in November, where he would be eyening nine wickets to overtake Shane Warne's record tally of 708 Test wixkets.

UNI