Melbourne, Oct.24 : Sri Lankan off-spinner Muthiah Muralitharan has said that he will not be affected by the taunts of Australian spectators during the forthcoming series Down Under.

"You never know what is the next thing that will happen in life. In 20 minutes, anything could have happened, we could have been injured or taken back to the sea. So that's the luck. Life goes on,” Murali said recalling the devastation caused by the December 26, 2004 Tsunami in Galle, Sri Lanka.

"I am not too worried about the crowds. It will be the same as before. (Former Sri Lankan coach) Tom (Moody) told me that they only do it to try and distract you … I am looking forward to the challenge," The Age quoted Murali, as saying.

Sydney, Oct.24 : Former Australian captain and middle-order bat Ian Chappell has questioned the merits of Ian Botham's recent knighthood, reigniting a war of words with the English cricket great.

Chappell, who says he hasn't spoken to Botham since 1980, unleashed a withering attack on Beefy in today's edition of The Bulletin magazine.

It follows claims from Botham in his new autobiography that he "flattened" the former Australian captain in a Melbourne bar 30 years ago.

Chappell again dismisses Botham's recounting of the events of their much-told 1977 spat, before cautioning the Englishman, who was knighted by the Queen this month for his services to cricket and charity, about "peddling his lies".

Islamabad, Oct 24 : Pakistan’s controversial fast bowler