Melbourne, Sep.30 Victoria could be denied the services of Sri Lankan off-spinner Muttiah Muralidaran next summer because of scheduling problems.

The Bushrangers have signed Muralidaran to play in Australia's domestic Twenty20 tournament in January.

But the leading wicket-taker in both Test and one-day cricket said a planned tri-series comprising Sri Lanka, India and Bangladesh could mean that he has to put his commitment to the national team first.

"Sri Lanka has put a tour to Bangladesh - it's not confirmed yet, but we're trying - and ... we put in the contract if it happens then I won't be able to come (to Melbourne)," the Sydney Morning Herald quoted him, as saying.

Muralidaran said he wanted to play for Victoria to experience playing Australian domestic cricket and gain game time before next year's world Twenty20 championships.

Playing for Victoria would mean returning to the MCG, where he was famously no-balled for throwing in the 1995 Boxing Day Test, and being supported by Australian fans, with whom he has experienced a mixed reception over the years.

But Muralidaran said he had never had a problem with Australian crowds, as he only objected to being labelled a chucker by former prime minister John Howard in 2004.

"It's not proper for the head of state to comment on things about someone's bowling, because that's not part of his job because when it comes to sport and politics, those two are different," he said.

Muralidaran said he had since met Howard and found him a "nice guy", but felt politicians should keep out of sporting issues. (ANI)