Sri Lanka are considering taking a gamble with their magical off-spinner in the second Test against England at Edgbaston.

Although he hasn't played in a match since partially dislocating his left shoulder in Sharjah last month, Muttiah Muralitharan will be considered for the game.

He bowled without obvious discomfort in in the indoor nets this morning, although his fielding is likely to be restricted if he plays.

"At the end of the day it will be a calculated decision based upon his degree of skill, his obvious success rate as a bowler compared to the other areas of cricket, and the certain levels you have to reach," said coach Dav Whatmore.

"It's a balanced view taking into consideration batting and fielding.

"We would not have been able to consider it a few weeks ago, now we have the option of playing him depending on the next 40-odd hours.

"He is not 100% but there is a chance. If he does play we will need to know what his limitations are."

During a fielding drill overseen by bowling coach Daryl Foster, Muralitharan looked to be having problems gathering the ball low to his left.

"Fielding is a concern, knowing what he is like when he throws himself around with no regard for his body," Whatmore added.

"That is great in one respect, but when you have an injury like he has then that's threatening.

"So every team member will have to know what his limitations are if he does play.

"We do not want to aggravate it, or worse still put him out of action and needing an operation. Any impact would be fraught with danger."

The Australian vice-captain, Adam Gilchrist, was yesterday disciplined by his home board for questioning the legitimacy of the spinner's action.

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