Given Chris Broad's replacement by Mike Proctor for the upcoming Zimbabwe v Sri Lanka series -- still love your work, Broads -- it remains to be seen whether any match referee will again dare cite Murali for chucking. Interestingly, Broad's pencilled in to adjudicate the Sri Lanka v Australia series here later this year. That'd be "pencilled". This time round though, with the legalities backing them up, it's refreshing to see the ICC tell the chuckanistas where they can stick their doosra.
First laying down the law down to Chucky and the rule change stooges at UWA, then chipping Sri Lanka over their typically snide insinuations.
And notwithstanding the odd nuance, also to see the three blabs in broad -- subtle me -- agreement.
The Australian:
Murali faces ban over doosra
THE International Cricket Council threw the ball back into Sri Lanka's court yesterday saying off-spinner Murali Muralitharan could continue to bowl the "doosra" at his own risk.
However, it warned he would face a possible 12-month ban if reported again.
The body denied reports it was considering changing its rules for slow bowlers to allow the spinner to keep bowling his doosra or that it would review the rule.
"There has been some media speculation that because the ICC will be conducting further research into the actions of spinners, the current levels of tolerance should not be applied in this case," ICC chief executive Malcolm Speed said.
"This suggestion lacks common sense.
"If, at some yet-to-be-determined point in the future and as a result of a proper research program, there is evidence to support a change to these regulations, then such a change will be considered.
"Until that time, we will continue to apply the current regulations that have been agreed to and supported by all countries."
Muralitharan was reported after the Test series against Australia and had his action assessed by biomechanics at the University of Western Australia early this month.
That report, forwarded to the Sri Lankan board, is believed to suggest that the off-spinner flexes his arm in bowling the doosra by twice the legal limit, which is five degrees for a spinner and 10 for a fast bowler.
The Sri Lankans, with support from the biomechanics, want more study done on the arbitrary limits.
However, the ICC said last night it had not received a report from the Sri Lankans as yet and said at this stage any action to be taken is up to that country.
The ICC pointed out that under its rules any bowler reported a second time could face a ban of 12 months. However, the international cricket community is cynical about any umpire or match referee daring to report Muralitharan again.
Chris Broad, who reported the off-spinner last month, was removed from the current series against Zimbabwe during the week.
The referee has been the subject of complaints from Sri Lankan cricket which allege he drank with Australian players and is guilty of misconduct, but this was rejected by the ICC.
"The allegations that have appeared in the media and attributed to Sri Lanka Cricket are serious and significant, yet there is not one piece of evidence offered to support them," Speed said.
"There are no specifics - no places, no dates, no times."
Broad also denied the claims.
"It is disappointing for me that such allegations have been made without any substance to back them up," he said in a statement.
Sri Lankan cricket board president Mohan de Silva defended the attack.
"We have brought to the notice of the ICC his (Broad's) general conduct," de Silva said on the weekend.
"It is not a formal protest or a complaint, but a letter to keep the ICC informed. We feel it is part of our responsibility."
The Herald Sun:
Rules won't be bent for Murali's doosra
THE International Cricket Council has warned Sri Lankan off-spinner Muthiah Muralidaran he faces a 12-month ban if he continues to bowl his controversial doosra.
While a report into the delivery has yet to be released, sources close to Muralidaran have confirmed recent tests proved he bowled the delivery, which turns in the opposite direction to his usual off-spinner, with an action that exceeds guidelines.
Sri Lankan Cricket Board president Mohan de Silva said after reading the University of Western Australia report he was "confident that Murali will be able to continue bowling the doosra".
But ICC chief executive Mal Speed said last night "the existing regulations governing the degree to which a spin bowler can straighten his arm or 'level of tolerance' (five degrees) would be enforced.
"Should any bowler be reported for a second time within 12 months of the first report, the ICC will convene a hearing of its own Bowling Review Group which has the power to impose a ban of up to 12 months should it determine the bowler's action is illegal."
Muralidaran bowls the doosra with an arm flex of almost 10 degrees.
During the six-week period from when he was reported for chucking after the third Test against Australia last month, Muralidaran can continue to bowl the doosra until an official ruling is made.
He cannot be reported again in this period, only no-balled by an umpire.
But once he is told the doosra is illegal and the six-week period expires, he faces a long stint on the sidelines if he is reported again.
ICC regulations state that pace bowlers are allowed 10 degrees of flex, medium pacers 7 1/2 degrees and spinners five.
"(They) reflect the reality that most bowlers straighten their arm to some degree when bowling," Speed said.
"These current levels of tolerance are based on expert advice that suggests beyond a certain level, bowlers will gain an unfair advantage.
"As recently as last September at its meeting of board chief executives in India, the ICC reviewed these levels and all countries were in agreement that the current standards should remain in place.
"There has been some media speculation that because the ICC will be conducting further research into the actions of spinners, the current levels of tolerance should not be applied in this (Muralidaran's) case.
"This suggestion lacks common sense."
Muralidaran, who has 513 Test wickets, is on the verge of overtaking West Indies' Courtney Walsh (519) to become the game's leading wicket-taker.
He is expected to achieve the record in the series against Zimbabwe this month.
The Age:
Muralitharan may face ban
Sri Lanka spin bowler Muttiah Muralitharan could be banned for up to 12 months if he continued to bowl his doosra and his action exceeded official guidelines, the International Cricket Council said on Tuesday.
Muralitharan had tests on his action at the University of Western Australia after being reported by match referee Chris Broad during Sri Lanka's Test series against Australia last month.
Sources privy to his assessment said biomechanics experts believe Muralitharan should be allowed to bowl his doosra, a delivery that turns in the opposite direction to his normal off break, even though his arm straightens by about 10 degrees.
Sri Lanka board president Mohan de Silva said after the university report arrived that he was "confident that Murali will be able to continue bowling the doosra".
But, the ICC emphasised that "the existing regulations governing the degree to which a spin bowler can straighten his arm or 'level of tolerance' (five degrees) remain in place and will be enforced.
"Should any bowler be reported for a second time within 12 months of the first report, the ICC will convene a hearing of its own Bowling Review Group which has the power to impose a ban of up to 12 months should it determine the bowler's action is illegal."
Muralitharan, who has taken 513 Test wickets, is on the verge of overtaking the West Indies' Courtney Walsh (519) to become the game's leading wicket-taker. He is expected to achieve the record in the series against Zimbabwe this month, edging back ahead of Australia's Shane Warne (517) on the way.
The 31-year-old bowled in front of 12 cameras at the university with his body strapped in reflective markers so a computer could track his action.
ICC ! ICC ! ICC ! IC ..
Wait a sec, what happened to the subcontinental conspiracy ;-)
Posted by: SM | 22 April 2004 at 10:48
Geez, and the silence from Spanky Roebuck is deafening
Posted by: chris88 | 22 April 2004 at 11:13
What follows is the last part of an email I sent to a fellow UWA Human Movement graduate this morning. We were having a discussion about you-know-what.
I can't be bothered writing a lengthy post about the same subject, so I took the lazy option of the copy'n'paste.
Posted by: Big Ramifications | 22 April 2004 at 13:02