Heightened security for Sri Lankan team

Brisbane, Feb 4 (UNI) Cricket Australia (CA) has stepped up security for the Sri Lankan team after a group which also included Muttiah Murlitharan was attacked by some unruly fans in Hobart.

However, Sri Lanka coach Trevor Bayliss did not seem perturbed by the whole incident that took place on Thursday when the team was returning back to it's hotel and described it as a 'non event'.

''They realise it was just a bunch of boofheads, and that those types of things happen every now and then in Australia,'' Bayliss said.

''It was a bunch of hoons being stupid, I wish it wasn't in the paper. Basically, it has been a non-event. I don't think (Murali) was targeted in any way,'' he added.

But the concerned CA authorties have beefed up the security for the visitors and said the board regrets about the incident which was uncalled for.

CA spokesman Peter Young said, ''We have spoken to the Sri Lankans and (did) increase security around the team hotel, so people would know there were cops hanging around. ''The selector wasn't greatly disturbed by the incident. On behalf of Australian cricket, we expressed our regret.

''They have had a reception which is in direct contradiction to what Ricky Ponting had called for prior to the launch of the series in how fans should be treating visiting teams with respect,'' he said.

The visiting side's chief selector, Don Arunasiri, was hit by an egg, while Muralitharan and two other team managers were verbally abused by some local Australians.

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