sri Lanka coach John Dyson insists there are no concerns over Muttiah Muralitharan's heavy workload during the three-Test series with England.

Muralitharan, whose marathon effort in Galle read 68.4-33-93-11, did not bowl in the final preparation sessions for this week's Test in his home town Kandy, spending yesterday morning with his right shoulder packed with ice instead.

With 15 days of Test cricket scheduled out of 21 on this tour, the fact that the Sri Lankan star turn sends down more than a third of his team's overs could increase the strain on his joints.

Prior to this series, England made Murali wait 17 overs for each of his wickets in the previous five Tests although injuries - including a dislocated left shoulder during the 2002 summer - also exacerbated it.

But Dyson believes he has the stamina to cope with the burden of being his country's primary threat with the ball, even if it means him sending down 200 overs.

''It is always a worry when someone bowls that much, that is why we are not too bothered about him bowling at practice,'' said Dyson.

''Australia rest players from matches because of the demand on their bodies and you have to be aware of the fitness levels of all your players.

''There is no problem with him; he might have had an ice pack on his shoulder but he puts ice in his drinks as well.

''It is a standard procedure for anyone, bowlers these days come off the field and go straight into an ice bath.

''Our entire squad is very fit so it does not worry us that we have got three weeks' worth of cricket -- we don't mind playing five days in every Test, we'll preferably do it in 40 to 45 degree heat and with plenty of humidity.''

The legality of Murali's action in delivering his during his newly-developed, excessively-turning wrong 'un has been questioned in some quarters. He has previously been cleared by the International Cricket Council.

And former Australian Test player Dyson insisted: ''It's clutching at straws. He has been scrutinised by the experts and they have cleared his action. What more do they want?''

Meanwhile, Lancashire coach Mike Watkinson - acting as England bowling coach in the pre-Christmas Test programme - does not expect to take the job when the role becomes permanent next September.

''At the moment I am really enjoying my job at Lancashire, I have made some significant steps forward in the last couple of years and I am hoping to continue that,'' said Watkinson, who played four Tests for his country in the mid-90s.

''I have looked on this as a short-term opportunity to do as well as I possibly can, I don't know what will come off in future England plans, I am just seeing this as a one-off.

''When Duncan asked me to be involved on this tour just a few weeks before we left it did catch me a little bit cold.

''I have felt really comfortable in the environment, the first few days I felt like a new kid at a new school but everyone has been approachable and the relaxed atmosphere is similar to the one we encourage at Old Trafford.''

His influence over James Anderson, who he coached as a teenager during his stint on charge of Lancashire seconds, and batting work with Andrew Flintoff encouraged his selection among the tour management.

''It helps if you have some background knowledge of the players, you know what makes them tick,'' Watkinson admitted.

''Jimmy has had a very rapid elevation from second-team cricket to being a frontline Test player and he has also had to handle setbacks of missing Bangladesh through injury and then suffering the frustration of the sprained ankle here.

''You can see that in him, every practice is like a microwave session to him, he has been trying to cram three weeks into a morning to get fit.

''That is the type of guy he is, he has been beating himself up a little bit because he wants things to happen all at once.''

l The England and Wales Cricket Board will not make any decision on next year's tour to Zimbabwe until February at the earliest.

President Robert Mugabe's decision to withdraw from the Commonwealth yesterday raised fears about the future domestic stability in the African nation.

England, under pressure from the Government because of Zimbabwe's human rights record, pulled out of their World Cup game in the country earlier this year at the last minute after expressing concerns about safety