UNI
 
Sydney, Feb 16: : Sri Lankan offspinner Muttiah Muralitharan has bid an angry farewell to Australia saying he was sick of being constantly taunted for chucking by a biased and abusive crowd.
 
''If they just booed me it would be OK but they are talking about my action all the time and I am sick of it,'' he told the 'Courier Mail'.

''They are calling me a chucker all the time and abusing me for two or three hours during matches,'' he added.

Murali said one reason for such behaviour could be that he and Shane Warne are competing to take most Test wickets but ''That is no reason to abuse me.'' ''It is between me and Shane as to who will take the most (Test) wickets and maybe the crowds think if I take it they will be disappointed,'' a furious Murali said.

The controversial offie said the crowds were not just abusive but a disgrace and perhaps the worst in the world.

''I just get this in Australia. What is happening is happening, they don't seem to have learnt. I have had a very rough time.'' Murali has been facing the hostilities of the crowds here since 1995 after being called for a suspect action in Brisbane. He was later cleared by the ICC but the spectators taunt the Sri Lankan whenever he is here.

He refused to tour the country in 2004 but came back this year hoping for a better reception this time and even had his action cleared again at the University of Western Australia but Murali's assumption was soon shattered as the crowds continued to be hostile to him.