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Saturday  September 5  1998

England coach keeps job for now

AGENCIES in London

David Lloyd's popularity among the England cricket players and the team's recent Test-series win over South Africa saved him from being fired as national coach. But he is on his last wicket.

Lloyd was yesterday concentrating on England's preparations for their visit to Bangladesh and the subsequent Ashes tour of Australia - but only after escaping with another warning about his conduct from the English Cricket Board (ECB).

The ECB summoned the coach to explain his criticism of Sri Lankan off-spinner Muttiah Muralitharan's bowling action and his public spat with television commentator and former batting star Geoffrey Boycott during the one-off Test at The Oval.

Sri Lanka captain Arjuna Ranatunga attributed Muralitharan's remarkable 16-wicket haul in the tourists' 10-wicket win over England to Lloyd's attack on the spinner's unusual bowling action.

Muralitharan, the leading international bowler this year with 68 wickets, has a rare condition which means he cannot straighten his arm. His action has been cleared by the International Cricket Council.

Lloyd's confrontation with Boycott, a former England captain, came after the team's disastrous loss when he reacted to the pundit's comment that ''England should get a coach who keeps his mouth shut''.

Meanwhile, Sri Lankan cricketers returned home yesterday to a heroes' welcome and heaps of praise from the local media.

''Hail the Conquerors'', ''Magnificent men return today'' and ''A triumphant return'' read the headlines of yesterday's local newspapers.

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