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| Monday, 24 January 2005 |
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Murali in trouble again over remarks by Sa'adi Thawfeeq Sri Lanka's leading spinner Muttiah Muralitharan's big mouth has got himself into trouble once again. On this occasion it is the comments he made on his arrival at Christchurch last Thursday ahead of the three one-day charity cricket matches between a World XI and New Zealand. Muralitharan was quoted by agencies saying: "Nobody from ICC (International Cricket Council) has told me not to bowl it (the doosra). I can bowl whatever I want, but if I get reported again I will have to go to another hearing." Sri Lanka Cricket (SLC) perturbed by these remarks have written to Muralitharan seeking a clarification on the agency report. SLC CEO Duleep Mendis said that if Muralitharan had in fact made the statement, the executive committee would decide what course of action should be taken against him. Mendis said that the ICC will not give advice personally to any individual cricketer but inform the home board concerned. He said that Muralitharan had been advised against bowling the doosra in Zimbabwe in April last year on the advice of ICC soon after he was reported by match referee Chris Broad. Muralitharan had been out of action since August after undergoing a shoulder operation and returned to competitive cricket only a fortnight ago when he appeared for an Asian XI against a World XI at Melbourne to raise funds for the tsumani victims. The match was ruled an official contest by the ICC and Muralitharan who took three wickets bowled the doosra despite the presence of match referee Broad to dismiss World XI batsman Chris Cairns. This is not the first time that Muralitharan has found himself in hot waters over remarks he has made. Recently he was asked for an explanation by SLC over comments he made to an Australian radio station accusing Australian fast bowlers as chuckers. Muralitharan denied ever making such comments and said that he had been misquoted. SLC decided against punishing him. Mendis said that it is high time that Muralitharan abstained from making such loose remarks to the media. "There is an important meeting of the ICC chief executives on February 4 where the new tolerance levels for bowlers will come up for discussion. Murali should refrain from making impulsive remarks until such time," said Mendis. At this meeting the new tolerance level for all bowlers of 15 degrees suggested by the cricket committee will be taken up. If it receives the necessary approval it will allow Muralitharan to bowl his doosra delivery without any hindrance. Muralitharan's doosra has been measured at 14 degrees which is nine degrees above the current tolerance level allowed for spinners. |
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