Clear Murali And Include him in WC Squad (19 Jan 1996)

Friday 19, January 1996

Clear `Murali` and include him in World Cup squad: sports minister

Mr. S. B. Dissanayake, Minister of Youth Affairs, Sports and Rural Development, has sent the following letter to Anura Tennekoon, Secretary, Cricket Board on the chucking controversy of Muttiah Muralidharan.

1. I am concerned about the future, both immediate and long term of Muttiah Muralidharan. Muralidharan is a very popular and important player because he is emerging as the best spinner in the world and is the only Tamil player in the national cricket team and is a peace symbol. Under no circumstances can we lose his services and therefore need to `clear` him of alleged chucking controversy at the earliest.

2. We have to treat him as innocent and take every step to protect him and `clear` him of ball throwing charges, enabling him to continue his cricketing career which has many more years of exciting, competitive and victorious play.

3. While accepting and abiding by the umpires` decisions we should represent matters to ICC to `clear` him according to the rules and regulations of ICC and BCCSL.

4. I recommend that his name be included in the Wills World Cup squad before 22nd January, 1996.

5. According to regulations we should immediately send him for retraining either in UK or Australia.

6. A detailed medical scientific and physical reports would be submitted by Head of Institute of Sports Medicine Consultant Neurologist Dr. Githanjan Mendis based on `Electro Goniometer` findings of Muralidharan which will be performed by Dr. Ravindra Goonetileke, Asst. Professor at Hongkong University and Melbourne based Surgeon Dr. Buddy Reid. Dr. Reid has already done the static tests and dynamic tests will be carried out by Dr. Goonetilake along with Dr. Mendis in Australia. ICC permission had been sought for this and BCCSL is awaiting a reply. Highest medical and scientific technology will be used in preparing this report.

7. I have also discussed this matter with the Australian Cricket Board and they have consented to make representations and help us to resolve this issue.

8. Many umpires and cricketers of highest international standards have said that there is no chucking involved.

9. We should immediately embark on the above steps with a time framework of `clearing` him before the start of Wills World Cup nest month enabling him to play at the above World Cup matches.

Source :: Lake House/Lanka Internet Services