Hussain cleared of abusing Murali

Nasser Hussain was today perilously close to becoming the first England player to be suspended from international cricket.

If match referee Clive Lloyd had found hard evidence to support Sri Lanka's allegation that Hussain used offensive language towards Muttiah Muralitharan then he would almost certainly have been banned for a game.

As it was, Lloyd found the charge not proven and Hussain was able to walk away from a 35-minute hearing in the clear after denying the allegation.

But Lloyd made it plain he believed something had happened as Muralitharan walked out to bat on day two of the Second Test.

"We had a look at the video evidence and there was nothing to show that he made that statement," said Lloyd. "Having looked at what happened it was obvious something was said but at the moment I can safely say I've had to exonerate him from the charge."

According to Sri Lankan sources, the words mentioned in the home team's allegation were 'cheat' and 'chucker', preceded on both counts by the 'f' word.