ICC Reject Muralitharan Appeal (10 Jan 1996)

Lanka urged not to let the matter rest

ICC rejects Murali appeal

The ICC in England have rejected Sri Lanka`s call for an independent panel to decide on the legality of Muttiah Muralitharan`s action.

The spinner was called twice for throwing during Sri Lanka`s disastrous tour of Australia. From the outset the Sri Lankan test team have had their minds on matters off the field as well as on the field with the ball-tampering episode in the first test. Sri Lanka have been branded `cheats` by the Australian media and Muttiah Muralitharan has hit the headlines all over the world.

Muralitharan has played in 23 tests, taken 81 wickets and bowled 6,000 deliveries - he has never been called for throwing. The British media have been highlighting the problems facing the Sri Lankan test team, here the media have dubbed Muralitharan as `Sri Lanka`s controversial spinner.` The actions taken by Australian umpires have caused an uproar amongst cricket enthusiasts in the UK. Darrell Hair, the Australian umpire who caused it all is no stranger to controversy. Both South Africa and England are not very happy with the decisions he made during the test matches against Australia. There are now calls for Darrell Hair to be struck off the ICC register of umpires.

Sri Lanka`s legitimate request has been turned down by the ICC. Dave Richards, Chief Executive of the ICC told the media.` We have rejected it for the simple reason: it doesn`t matter who looks at the player`s action and whatever opinion is formed. Noone can give a guarantee that he won`t be called at some time in the future`.

It places in doubt the future test career of Sri Lanka`s top spinner. Observers are urging Sri Lanka not to let the matter rest as the team will miss the skills of Muralitharan. Many sym- pathise with his case. An English Baptist pastor told me that he feels for Muralitharan as he (the pastor) was called for throwing when he played cricket in school as he genuinely has a bent arm. When he swings the ball it looks as if he is throwing the ball.

Sri Lanka`s image has suffered as a result of the publicity evolving around the ball-tampering episode and Muralitharan`s arm action. The Daily Telegraph said: `Sri Lanka have effectively acknowledged that Muttiah Muralitharan will take no further part in their tour of Australia by calling up off-spinner Ruwan Kalpage as a replacement.`

The Telegraph added, `Over the past three years the ICC have received reports from match referees on at least five test bowlers whose actions have come under scrutiny including England`s Phil Tufnell, India`s Rajesh Chauhan and Sri Lanka`s Kumara Dharmasena.`

Earlier the former Australian test captain Allan Border told British newsmen that he felt that Muralitharan has been set up. Support also came from the West indies Cricket Captain Richie Richardson who said that Muralitharan was simply unorthodox.`

Source :: LakeHouse/Lanka Internet Services