Murali likely to be rested against Queensland

Muttiah Muralitharan is likely to be rested for the warm-up game against Queensland beginning on November 2 in Brisbane. It is Sri Lanka's final practice match before the first Test against Australia at the Gabba, which starts on November 8.

"If he [Murali] continues practice and all that, if he's happy with his rhythm we'll probably keep him out," Mahela Jayawardene told AFP. "So if Murali feels that he'll need another match before the Test match, we'll consider that, but if not, we'll probably keep him out."

Murali proved his fitness by taking 4 for 122 off 44 overs against a Chairman's XI in Adelaide. He was making a comeback from a bicep injury, which he sustained while playing for Lancashire during the English county season. The injury ruled him out of the ICC World Twenty20 and England's tour of Sri Lanka in October.

Jayawardene said that medium-pacer Sujeewa de Silva, who was called up from the A team tour in Zimbabwe as cover for Chanaka Welegedara, would play against Queensland provided he arrived in time. Welagedara strained his right quadriceps after bowling only six overs against the Chairman's XI. Kumar Sangakkara was definitely ruled out against Queensland after he tore his hamstring in the first warm-up match.