Muttiah Muralitharan’s controversial ”doosra” delivery was deemed illegal after the International Cricket Council (ICC) said in London on Tuesday it supports 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 has 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 — means the ”doosra” can 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 about 14 degrees, which after some remedial work was reduced to 10 degrees.
This compares with 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 will 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 has been allowed to continue bowling, ”doosra” and all.
But Speed warned that under ICC regulations Murali could face a 12-month ban if he now persists with the ”doosra”.
”If his action does not conform to the laws of cricket, no second report can be made until this six-week period is completed. This period expires at midnight on Thursday May 13 2004,” Speed said.
”Should the bowler go against the wishes of his board, bowl this delivery and subsequently be reported within 12 months of the initial report, the issue would progress to stage two of the ICC’s process for dealing with bowlers with suspected illegal bowling actions.
”This would result in this delivery being scrutinised by the ICC’s own Bowling Review Group, which has the power to impose a ban of 12 months on the bowler if his action is deemed illegal.” — Sapa-AFP