Murali told not to bowl 'doosra'

2004-05-12 08:53

London - Muttiah Muralitharan's controversial 'doosra' delivery was deemed illegal after the International Cricket Council (ICC) said here Tuesday it supported the decision by Sri Lanka cricket to tell the off-spinner not to bowl the delivery.

Last week Murali set a new world record of 521 Test wickets against Zimbabwe in Harare, breaking the previous mark of 519 of retired West Indies fast bowler Courtney Walsh.

Murali, whose unorthodox action has seen him no-balled for "throwing" in the past, has come under fresh scrutiny because of the "doosra" and has been told that if he persists with it he could face a year long ban.

That prompted match referee Chris Broad to report Murali to the ICC after the spinner used the "doosra", which unlike a conventional off-spinner turns away from the right-handed batsman, during Sri Lanka's home Test series against Australia in March.

Muralitharan was then sent to Australia to work on his bowling action with a biomechanical expert.

Now, after the first stage of the bowling review process had been completed, ICC chief executive Malcolm Speed said the report forwarded to him by Sri Lankan Cricket but compiled by the University of Western Australia, meant the "doosra" could no longer be tolerated.

"The report forwarded by Sri Lanka Cricket proves that the degree of straightening is well outside the ICC's specified levels of tolerance," said Speed.

"In light of this finding, Sri Lanka Cricket has now advised the ICC that it has instructed Mr Muralitharan not to bowl this delivery in international cricket. The ICC supports this action," the Australian added.

The Western Australian University report showed an initial straightening of the arm of around 14 degrees which after some remedial work was reduced to 10 degrees.

This compares to an allowable level of tolerance for spinners of five degrees under ICC regulations.

Speed said that he hoped that the action by Sri Lankan Cricket in recognising that the delivery did not comply with the ICC regulations would prevent Muralitharan being reported again for this delivery.

Murali is currently within the six week stage one phase of the ICC's bowling review process since being reported by Broad.

However, under ICC regulations Murali was allowed to continue bowling "doosra" and all.

But Speed warned that under ICC regulations Murali could face a 12 month ban if he now persisted with the "doosra".

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- AFP