Sri Lanka are considering risking playing Muttiah Muralitharan in the second Test at Edgbaston starting on Thursday, even if he is less than fully fit. In an interview with the BBC Chandra Schaffter, Sri Lanka's tour manager, said that the management felt Muralitharan was so important to the team that it was worth risking him even if he was only 60 per cent fit.

"We don't know, that's the honest answer, and he's still not sure if his arm has healed fully," said Schaffter. "We will not know until Wednesday, possibly not until Thursday morning. We are positive but we know he will not be 90 per cent fit. It's a question of whether we are going to play him at 60-70 per cent fit."

Coach Dav Whatmore agreed that a half-fit Murali might be a gamble worth taking: "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."

"It's a balanced view taking into consideration batting and fielding," said Whatmore. "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 percent but there is a chance. If he does play we will need to know what his limitations are."

Muralitharan's rehabilitation has hardly been helped by miserable weather in Birmingham which left him unable to have any outdoor practice on Tuesday. He had bowled a few overs on Monday and Schaffter said that there had been no adverse reaction.

It might be that the Sri Lankans are indulging in mind games, aware of the effect that Muralitharan can have on batsmen. If he does play, it would represent a remarkable recovery.

The Sri Lankans other fitness worry, seamer Dilhara Fernando, has fully recovered. Although he was unable to bowl during the tour match at Cardiff, he will be in contention for selection after missing the Lord's Test with an injury. If he does play, it would probably be at the expense of the controversial Ruchira Perera.

© Wisden CricInfo Ltd