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| Tuesday, 30 March 2004 |
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Lanka to protest over Broad's appointment By Sa'adi Thawfeeq Sri Lanka Cricket (SLC) is to send a strong letter of protest to the International Cricket Council (ICC) over the appointment of Chris Broad as match referee for the forthcoming series against Zimbabwe and Australia. SLC secretary Mohan de Silva said that Broad has been appointed match referee for Sri Lanka's series in Zimbabwe next month as well as their tour to Australia in July. Sri Lanka is due to play two Tests and five one-day internationals in Zimbabwe and two Tests in Australia. SLC's protest comes in the wake of Broad reporting ace off-spinner Muttiah Muralitharan to the ICC over a suspect bowling action at the end of the third Test against Australia at the SSC on Sunday. Broad's appointments to Zimbabwe and Australia were made by the ICC before Sunday's incident. But De Silva said they were concerned about him being appointed for the Australian tour more than the one to Zimbabwe. It was in Australia that Muralitharan was twice called for chucking by Australian umpires in 1995-96 and in 1999-2000. De Silva said that they were also disturbed by the comments Broad made on Muralitharan during the England series played here in November when he was commentating on radio. "Considering his personal views as a commentator, his judgment on the bowler's delivery can be biased," said de Silva. "We have been in touch with ICC's general manager cricket Dave Richardson and have got a good response," he said. Muralitharan, the third highest wicket-taker in the world with 513 Test wickets was reported to the ICC by Broad on his new delivery that turns away from the right-hand batsman. Broad emphasized that his report related only to Muralitharan's new delivery only. Muralitharan was called for throwing in Australia when he was bowling off-breaks. Since then his action has been cleared by the ICC who thoroughly examined and exonerated his bowling techniques. SLC CEO Duleep Mendis said that Muralitharan had been bowling the delivery which goes the 'other way' or also known as the 'doosra' for the past three to four years. "The delivery is nothing new. He has been bowling it for quit some time. The only difference is that he has now perfected it and he has more control over it. He is accurate and it is much effective," said Mendis, who was manager of the Sri Lanka team when Muralitharan was called for chucking by Australian umpires Darrel Hair and Ross Emerson during the 1995-96 tour. Mendis said that he was 'concerned and surprised' by Broad's decision to report Muralitharan's new delivery because he had been bowling it for so many years and had gone through several ICC match referees and umpires who didn't see anything wrong with it. Mendis said now that the report has been made to the ICC on his new delivery, Muralitharan would go through the usual process of Stage I where he will work with an expert bio-mechanist from the ICC's approved list and the home Board advisors to review the report and correct any flaws that may occur during his delivery action within a period of six weeks. At the end of this period a report will be submitted to the ICC on this work and it will be circulated to all match officials. During this period Muralitharan will be permitted to continue playing and no second report can be made until the expiry of the six weeks period. He will however at any time throughout this period be subject to being called on the field by the umpire in terms of Law 24. The home Board's advisors (Bowling Review Committee) comprise Roshan Mahanama (chairman), Lalith Kaluperuma, Champaka Ramanayake, Roger Wijesuriya and K.T. Francis with Ranjan Madugalle as an invitee. The ICC has to assign the expert bio-mechanist. Madugalle is the ICC's chief match referee. One-day players to New Zealand Tilan Samaraweera, Kaushal Lokuarachchi and Saman Jayantha who played in the one-day and Test series against Australia will fly to New Zealand shortly for the three one-day limited over matches against New Zealand 'A'. The players will be joined by fast bowler Dilhara Fernando and Sri Lanka under 19 captain Farveez Maharoof. The five players will replace five others who represented Sri Lanka 'A' in the three Test unofficial series. The one-day matches will be played on April 3, 5 and 7 at Lincoln. |
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