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| Thursday, 18 November 2004 |
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Murali told to shut up by Sa'adi Thawfeeq Sri Lanka Cricket (SLC) has told its dominant spinner Muttiah Muralitharan to keep his mouth shut and expressed deep concern and disappointment over certain comments he had made against opposing bowlers. SLC president Mohan de Silva said: "We are disappointed and embarassed with the remarks Murali has made. We have cautioned him and asked for an explanation." "We have done all the spade work to get the ICC to enable him to bowl the 'doosra'. But he is antagonising all the countries by his recent comments," said De Silva. SLC chief executive Duleep Mendis said that as a contracted player Muralitharan must have prior approval before granting interviews to anyone. "We have written to him and reminded him of his obligations and told him to refrain from doing so in the future," said Mendis. Muralitharan's manager Kushil Gunasekera confirmed yesterday that he had received a cautionary letter from SLC and that he would reply to it. He also said that a press release from Muralitharan would also follow shortly. Muralitharan, the second highest wicket-taker in the world after Australian Shane Warne with 532 wickets caused a furore in world cricket when he went on record accusing Australian fast bowlers 'as chuckers'. He was quoted on Melbourne's Radio Sport 927 interview accusing Glenn McGrath, Jason Gillespie and Brett Lee as bowling illegal deliveries. Muralitharan's comments on these bowlers came soon after the ICC bowling committee recommended that all bowlers be allowed to straighten their arms by up to 15 degrees. This gave the greenlight for Muralitharan's 'doosra' delivery which was measured at around 14 degrees and outlawed by the ICC. SLC started to show concern when Cricket Australia chief executive James Sutherland spoke to them by phone. Sutherland was quoted as saying that it was unfair on individual players for their names to be used in an emotional public debate which does not take account of the complex science behind what the ICC is examining. Reacting to Muralitharan's comments Australian batsman Matthew Hayden said: "Sticks and stones kind of stuff from Murali in the papers is not going to get him any favours in world cricket." Meanwhile Muralitharan has denied that he had called McGrath, Gillespie and Lee 'chuckers'. Muralitharan told WisdenCricinfo website that he had been quoted out of context. "I never called anyone a chucker," Murali told The Sydney Morning Herald. "All I did was say that because 99% of bowlers have been found to extend their arms, if you are going to accuse me, then you have to look at everyone else. I have the right to say that because it is true that other bowlers extend. That is what science says." "All I said is that if you are accusing me of going over the level of tolerance, you have to look at your own bowlers, too." |
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