CRICKET:England's captain, Michael Vaughan, admitted yesterday the unique challenge of Muttiah Muralitharan had been uppermost in their minds as they planned for the first Test against Sri Lanka, which was due to start here early this morning.

Vaughan said: "He didn't totally dominate our preparation because that would be disrespectful to the rest of their team. The likes of Lasith Malinga, Chaminda Vaas and Dilharo Fernando are very, very good bowlers and unorthodox in their own way. But it would be stupid if we didn't put Murali at the forefront of our minds. The teams that come over here and are successful are those who play Murali well and that is what we will have to do."

Murali needs five more wickets on his home ground to become the most prolific bowler in Test history. But Vaughan said it was up to each batsman to work out the best way to play him.

"Every batsman has to play him in his own individual fashion. I'm sure there are players who will try to grind him out and play the ball on its merits. Then there will be those who will try to attack him. It is important to play in your own individual fashion. That is what has made each player successful. As long as you have a plan."

England's leading batsman, Kevin Pietersen, places Muralitharan ahead of his friend and world-record holder Shane Warne as the most difficult bowler he has faced. "They are both assassins, both champions, both geniuses," he said.

"The difference is Muralitharan spins the ball both ways and is harder to pick. He is a lot harder a challenge because of the way he spins it both ways with a pretty similar action."

Vaughan, who was so cagey about his team selection yesterday that even Andrew Strauss and Geraint Jones might have felt they were in with a chance, expects a tight series: "It could go right to the wire. We will have to bat very well and the top six, especially, will have to put up their hands and get big scores. We will also have to be very disciplined when we're in the field and holding our chances will be crucial.

"Sri Lanka is hard but I find it one of the best tours. It's a great place to play Test cricket because you are tested, both mentally and physically. It's a long game of cricket and it usually goes the full distance. We're a young side and very excited about playing this game."

The veteran Sri Lanka batsman Sanath Jayasuriya reverts to the top of the order after batting at number five in the recent series in Australia. That means there is no room for the opening batsman Upul Tharanga despite his 112 and 86 for the Sri Lanka Board President's XI in the two warm-up matches leading up to the Tests.