Muralitharan confirmed to play in NZ

WELLINGTON, May 13 (AFP): Sri Lankan spin king Muttiah Muralitharan is to play in New Zealand's domestic Twenty20 competition next season after a deal was confirmed with the Wellington Firebirds Friday. Muralitharan, who holds the records for the most wickets in Tests and one-day internationals, is honouring a commitment made to former New Zealand captain Stephen Fleming. "I've always enjoyed my time in New Zealand and it is a fantastic country to tour and to play cricket in," he said in a statement. Wellington chief executive Gavin Larsen who announced the deal described it as a "tremendous boost for Wellington to secure the services of one of the greatest international cricketers of all time." His services are desperately needed by Wellington who have never finished better than fourth out of six teams in New Zealand's Twenty20 domestic competition.