Genetic gift for Murali to spin well (11 October 1998)

11 October 1998

Genetic gift for Murali to spin well

by M B Dassanayake

I read with interest an article written by a sports commentator about the possible surfacing of the controversy about Muralitharan's action and I wish to state about 'Murali' whose action was checked at the Hongkong University of Science and Technology on his way back to Sri Lanka after the tour of Australia.

'Murali' - Muttiah Muralitharan - is a young man who at the prime of his life's career is classified as the best off-spinner in the world by the former England Off-spinner and Leicestershire stalwart Jackie Berkenshaw. It is said that "fame is the spur that the clear spirit doth rise to scorn delights and live laborious days -", yet his fame has not touched him in the least to lose his head with unnecessary pride, but he is just a simple humble character, very gentle in his ways and manners who could fit into any society.

Muttiah Muralitharan, spin-bowling speciality of international fame was in the past indicated and condemned as deceitful manipulations without any valid reasons but founded and generated from aggression and rage common to people intellectually and morally backward. Genetically all men are not born equal. Even races are not equally gifted intellectually or otherwise. Ethical and moral integrities of people are not equally distributed. The human genetic composition within the chemistry of the person projects an individual diverse and desperate from one another.

This young man's gift for spin-bowling is a genetic gift very well developed and nurtured in an appropriate environment along with the individual's life's concern wholly dedicated for the purpose. 'Murali' as he is called by most locals, is a pet name denoting the persons affability and decency. 'Murali' certainly has a legitimate right to be proud of this gift exclusively his.

The zig-zags a few paces progressing very quietly and slowly along the turf or ground to a point of his own reckoning. This slow walk barely a run and without much of the crab-like feats of feet so pronounced in those one time Pakistani spinners so wonderful to watch, is in 'Murali's' case a lack of lustre, sober and sedate initiation.

So much of evidence has been brought to light by the cricketing world in administration, sympathy and in defence of the controversial bowler, how has played many Tests and captured over hundreds of wickets.

Cricket is a gentleman's game introduced to the world by England. It has produced great men of character although some refer to cricketers as 'flannelled fools'.

Today, despite some notable controversial decisions - or perhaps because of them - Darrel Hair is regarded as one of the top three umpires of international cricket. The Board of Control for Cricket in Sri Lanka to safeguard the good name of 'Murali' and of Sri Lanka were victorious with the best piece of evidence of Australia's most respected coaches, Derryl Foster. Foster's report was signed along with David Lloyd, a Lecturer in Biomechanics and Angus Burnett, a Biomechanic's Ph.D., student which clears 'Muralitharan' from Chucking.

Muralitharan's selection to the World Cup Team hung in the balance until a report was received from one of Australia's respected cricket coaches attached to the Bio-Mechanics and Sports Medicine unit of the University of Western Australia. Darryl Foster, cleared him from a suspected bowling action.

Muralitharan did not play for Sri Lanka since being no-balled in the World Series Cup match against West Indies at Brisbane on January 5th, 1996.

Bowling action of 'Muttiah Muralitharan' was checked by Mr. Ravindra S. Goonetilleke, Ph.D., M.Sc., M.S.A.E., B.Sc., (Hons.) MHF and E.S. of the Hongkong University of Science and Technology - Assistant Professor, Department of Industrial Engineering and Engineering Management with the assistance of Mr. Buwanaraja Perera, B.S., B. Eng. (Hons.)., C.Eng., M.I.Chem.E., M.I.W.B.M., and Mr. Ajith Samarasekera - Stanley Sze (Technician). The letter of intent and an outline of the method was initially submitted to the Minister of Sports Mr. S. B. Dissanayake on January 8th, 1996. Subsequently, the Board of Control for Cricket in Sri Lanka (BCCSL) made arrangements to have 'Muralitharan' visit Hongkong on his way back to Sri Lanka after the tour of Australia.

Accordingly, 'Muralitharan' arrived in Hongkong on 2nd February and all tests reported here were conducted from 3rd February, 1996, to 6th February, 1996. An interim report dated 9th February, 1996, was submitted to the BCCSL and the Minister of Sports.

The computerised data analysis showed beyond any reasonable doubt that Muttiah Muralitharan's bowling action was legitimate as defined in Law 24.2 "Fair Delivery - The Arm" of the ICC rules.

"The aforesaid method is an accurate technique to evaluate throwing under any condition, since it could precisely define the point of ball release. The officials who conducted tests on the "bowling action of Muttiah Muralitharan are pleased to demonstrate the equipment on Muralitharan's bowling arm and have him bowl under any condition before any panel appointed by the ICC at a convenient date, time and location."

Furthermore, they wish to propose that the ICC seriously consider the use of this equipment in the future to objectively assess throwing rather than allow the umpires to make subjective judgements based on perfection. Their services are offered to the ICC, to conduct random checks on bowlers to evaluate the legitimacy of their bowling actions.

Source :: Daily News (https://www.lanka.net)