Murali in backflip on spin coaching Aussies

Muttiah Muralidaran - Test cricket’s greatest wicket-taker - has dealt Cricket Australia’s blueprint for spin reform a savage blow after backflipping on plans to mentor the country’s next generation of tweakers.

As the Sri Lankan wizard prepares to torment Australia in their ICC World Cup clash on Saturday, it can be revealed Muralidaran has turned his back at the 11th hour on a coaching cameo at the Brisbane-based Centre of Excellence, reports The Courier-Mail from Australia, quoting Muralitharan’s manager.

The controversial 38-year-old had intimated his desire to tutor Australia’s next crop of emerging spinners in June, but rocked Cricket Australia by opting to play Twenty20 cricket instead in India and England.

Muralidaran’s snub comes at the worst time for Australian cricket, which is conducting a sweeping performance review, including addressing the nation’s depleted slow bowling stocks that have led to Test selectors deploying 10 spinners since Shane Warne’s retirement in 2007.

Speaking exclusively to The Courier-Mail, Muralidaran’s manager confirmed the spin legend would not visit Australia because of commitments with IPL side Kochi and county side Gloucestershire.

“Unfortunately, Murali will not be able to make it,” agent Kushil Gunasekera said.

“Cricket Australia wanted him to come down in a particular period of time, but it doesn’t go down well with the IPL and his Gloucestershire assignments.”