Muttiah Muralitharan has hailed Brian Lara as his toughest opponent on the eve of Sri Lanka's World Cup match against the West Indies.

"I think Lara is the key. He played against me in Sri Lanka and he did very well," the off-spinner said on Thursday.

"I think, of all the batsmen in the world, he plays my bowling better than anyone else, including Sachin Tendulkar.

"His eyesight and hand co-ordination is very good and he's able to adjust very quickly to very good deliveries."

Friday's match is hugely important to both sides as they try to qualify from Group B. Both teams are among five in the group who can still reach the Super Six stage.

Lara had a staggering 2001 tour to Sri Lanka, hitting a century in the first Test before scoring 221 and 130 in the third, becoming the first player for almost three decades to make a century and double century in the same Test but still lose. He averaged 114.66 for the series, won 3-0 by Sri Lanka.

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What do you think about the story? Read what others have to say: Number of User Comments: 12 Sub: Great Sachin No doubt lara is the best batsman but sachin is the greatest as ever. He took the challenge of any bowlers and disturbs his best ... Posted by Nitin Chaudhari Sub: Sachin is the Demi God for batting While Murali feels Lara is much difficult a batsman, i reckon he should rise up to the level of a genius. That he will attain ... Posted by Suddy Sub: Murali has a point If readers pay attention to what Murali is saying, they wouldn't fly off the handle and write some of these emails. What Murali is saying ... Posted by Nitin Kulkarni Sub: sachin is always better than lara sachin is god in the india there is no replacement of sachin. no comparasion in between sachin or lara. sachin has made more than 33 ... Posted by sudhanshu chaudhary Sub: not agree with murlitharan lara has dominated only 1nce against murlitharan , may b lara dint got much test to paly against s.lanka. but i disagree that lara only ... Posted by sanjib kumar