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| Wednesday, 6 August 2003 |
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I never thought my action was illegal, says Murali Muttiah Muralitharan has admitted that he feared an abrupt end to his cricket career after being called for chucking by Darrell Hair in 1995-96. In an exclusive interview published in the August issue of 'Wisden Asia Cricket', Murali gave a detailed account of the controversy, and how the Sri Lankan board, Arjuna Ranatunga and the rest of the team helped him overcome the crisis. "I was shocked," Murali said, remembering the occasion when he was first no-balled by Hair. "I had never considered the possibility of my action being illegal. I first thought they [the Australians] were scared of me, and that it was just one umpire. But when Emerson and the other guy called me again, I wondered if there might be a problem. "Deep down I believed everything was all right because throwing and bowling are completely different: one requires the shoulder and the other the elbow. You can feel the difference. But there were times when I thought that it might be the end of my career. I thought: `I can't change my action ... this is how I have bowled from the start.' I even considered taking up legspin as I can bowl that pretty well." Murali survived that tour, but it wasn't the end of his ordeal. When Sri Lanka toured Australia next - in 1998-99 - he was called for chucking again, despite having been cleared by the University of Western Australia. Having experienced the situation once, Murali was much better prepared the second time around. "We expected that," said Murali, recounting the incident. "Leading up to the match we knew it was going to happen. In 1995-96, it had been a shock - Hair had even umpired me before that Boxing Day Test and not called me or indicated any problem. So in the next tour it was not a problem for me. Yes, we were disappointed, and Arjuna was very upset, but it was not so much of a problem for me." Murali also spoke about how Ranatunga, the captain on both those tours, supported him throughout the controversy. "The cricket board, Arjuna, Aravinda (de Silva) and the team all gave me their full backing and that reduced my fears. He [Ranatunga] really pushed the cricket board, and maybe he did save my career." Despite his altercations with Hair, Murali said that he shared a cordial relationship with Hair. "We said hello in the matches where he has officiated since. There is no problem. People make mistakes and that episode is now gone for me. I want to look forward." (WisdenCricinfo) |
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