I have made few changes to make it harder for batsmen, admits Murali

Kingston, Jamaica, Apr 26 (UNI) Muttiah Muralitharan, whose spin has rattled some of the best batsmen in this World Cup has admitted having made few changes in his bowling to ''stay ahead of the batters.'' The spin wizard surprised many as he disclosed that he has made a few changes to his bowling to stay ahead of the world's top batsmen, particularly the round the stumps variations that he used against New Zealand in their semi-final to great effect at the Sabina Park in Jamaica on Tuesday.

''I'm bowling really well around the wicket a lot at the moment.

When you can't see which way the ball is going it's harder for the batsmen,'' he said.

Skipper Mahela Jayawardene lauded Murali's bowling saying, ''He is always trying to take wickets and keeps the pressure on.'' Murali, who was part of Arjuna Ranatunga's 1996 title-winning team at Lahore, has taken 23 wickets at this edition of the World Cup, equaling team-mate Chaminda Vaas' single tournament record of 2003.

That was however erased by Australian speedster Glenn McGrath, who took three wickets against South Africa in the second semifinal at St.Lucia to take his tally to 25.

UNI