Sri Lanka’s legendary spinner Muttiah Muralitharan is struggling to qualify to play English county cricket this year — because he is scared of computers and examinations.
A recent change in Britain’s work visa rules means the world record holder must prove his English language skills at an examination to secure a permit to play for Gloucestershire in June.
“I have a visitor’s visa (for Britain) till 2013, but I have to sit for an exam now to work there,” he told reporters on Tuesday, adding he was scared to write his exams on a computer.
“I don’t know how to use computers.”
Asked if he was frightened of the computer or the exam, he said: “Both.”
“I last sat for exams in 1988 and passed six subjects for my (General Certificate of Education) Ordinary Levels. I left school afterwards. All I wanted to do was to play cricket.”
Muralitharan, who turns 39 this month, quit international cricket after the World Cup final against India on Saturday with a record 800 Test and 534 ODI wickets under his belt.
Despite his aversion to computers, Muralitharan runs several charities which fund IT training, maintains schools and donates supplies to thousands of underprivileged children.
{{/usCountry}}Despite his aversion to computers, Muralitharan runs several charities which fund IT training, maintains schools and donates supplies to thousands of underprivileged children.
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