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by Richard Dwight

In much the same way, as it did happen a few years ago, unpopular though it was - we are now sensing a process unfold in the formation of yet another motley orchestra to perform the 'Oust Murali Symphony No. 2'. The main intention perhaps is, for it to serve as an ugly forerunner to our cricket tour of England, with as well rehearsals and repeats, notwithstanding whether people like it or not, being thrown in before our cricketers take on the Australians and then move over in quest of the 'world cup'.

Happily in the cause of cricket, attendance at practices for the mischievous performance with ulterior motives have understandably been very poor. Save for one or two like former bowlers Bishen and Michael, with two insecure coaches Bob and David. Whilst an inept few others with childish thinking and an envious parochial outlook are expected to cash in and join.

The presentor's slot will go to the biased Ritchie, who insidiously will keep raising the tempo for a handful from the media to take the cue and keep drumming it all up and, as the crescendo rises, the odd sadistic umpire or two involved in the finale will strive without success, as on the last occasion, to bring down the curtain.

The earlier performance had to be aborted and, the one which is now building up, would also go the same way - to be spoken of as the unfinished symphonies by this disgruntled few. But to lovers of cricket the world over, this matter is considered as over and closed, with the bowling action in question conclusively proved legal and accepted by the highest body, the ICC.

We must now steer away from continuing in this symbolic vein and address our minds to the embarrassment, that is likely to be caused to Murali and the team as a whole, when they go across to England, Australia and as well to South Africa for the 'World Cup'.

All this had its origin, when Murali the extra-ordinary wizard of spin was turning out to be a potential threat to leading established cricket playing countries like Australia and England, who apparently find it difficult to reconcile themselves to the fact, that this comparatively small third world developing country, could produce such a rare gem of a bowler and, a team that was fast becoming a force to be reckoned with.

Murali therefore had to be stopped at all costs and got off the firing line as a bowler. All of which stemmed from an irrelevant display of superior arrogance. It was stage managed and well orchestrated by not all, but a small group of Australians, with sections of the print as well as the electronic media chipping in, to be followed by the two umpires firstly Darrel Hair and then later Ross Emerson, both calling Murali for chucking.

It was most unkind and unhelpful to a country that was cricket-wise forging ahead. But the ploy turned out to be a damp squib, where those responsible went on the surmise that we have yet to shed ourselves from the vestiges of colonialism. They went on the belief that we were still given to docile, passive ways and could be easily brow beaten to become submissive and yield. This is where they grossly erred not knowing that they had to contend with a tough courageous skipper in Arjuna Ranatunga. Unethical though it be, and not adhering to the norms of cricket, Arjuna stood his ground on behalf of Murali and the country and struck while the iron was hot, Emerson like Hair earlier met his waterloo in calling Murali.

This gave way to an upsurge in patriotic emotion islandwide, which resulted in concerted action being taken by all those who mattered, that led to Murali's bowling action being cleared as legal by the ICC. There are still some abroad, who are smarting over this decision and unable to take it in the best spirit.

Murali has arrived at the stage, where anything he says or does is news. And so it's not difficult to infer, that these two former bowlers, who have outlived their period of usefulness are trying to have a shot at news worthy Murali in order to draw attention to themselves in a sensational way for their own selfish ends.

Having said that it is heartening to find Navjot Sidhu, Sunil Gavaskar, Carl Hooper, the contemporary healthy rival of Murali, Shane Warne and a host of others have nothing but praise for Murali. This ornament that has adorned cricket by enriching and enhancing it, would have been that much poorer if he lay abandoned from the game.

Many of the cricket captains and managers who have been here are of the view that the Sri Lanka team are reminiscent of some of the West Indian teams of the past - Enterprising enough to be attractive with players like skipper Jayasuriya, Mahela, Aravinda, Marvan, Sangakkara and of course the enthusiastic Murali.

The present attitude by some abroad is to psyche Murali and the team and we do well to alert the Sri Lankans abroad to exert influence over the media to counter anything said to the detriment of the team and its players.

The team we are well aware are seasoned campaigners and will take all this in their stride. Whilst the ever smiling, genial Murali who has a harvest of 412 wickets will simply say that 'stones will only be thrown at trees that bear fruit' and cheerfully resign himself to the thought 'dogs bark but the caravan goes on'. 

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