Let Warne get record, I don't care: Murali

MUMBAI: Muthiah Muralitharan has decided to opt out of the Australian tour. In a telephonic interview to TNN, from Sri Lanka he claims that it is because he wants to take a break but the murmur is that it''s in retaliation to Aussie PM''s remarks on his bowling action. Excerpts from the interview:
It''s official that you aren''t going to Australia.
Yeah.I don''t want to go as I have some personal issues and I wrote to Sri Lanka Cricket stating that.
You''ve always been someone who has tackled challenges head on. Shouldn''t Australian Prime Minister John Howard''s statements spurred you on?
(A bit irritated). Listen... Who says I am running away from any challenges in the first place? Let Howard say anything he wants to. I am not touring Australia because I don''t feel like playing cricket at this moment. And that''s not just in Australia but anywhere in the world. All I want is to have a good break away from the game.
There were reports that Shane Warne too might miss the series because of injury. Did that influence your decision, as he wouldn''t threaten your record?
I am not bothered about whether Warne plays or not. If he wants to play let him play and let him bowl and get the record.
A recent poll in a Sri Lankan paper indicated that 82 per cent of the nation doesn''t want you to tour Australia. That must have influenced you too.
Not really. I was firm in my mind from the very beginning not to go but 82 per cent is a staggering number and reflects how the nation feels.
How have the Sri Lankan Board and your teammates reacted to your decision not to tour Australia?
They respect my decision.
Ricky Ponting pleaded you to tour Australia last month. Has any other Australian cricketer got in touch with you?
(Laughs uproariously). No. Why should they? (Gets agitated again) And please don''t ask me too many questions, I will be in trouble. As it is there are enough controversies surrounding me. I love the Indian press but please spare me, I might get in trouble.