'Murali' - bowling wizard of international fame (26 April 1998)

26 April, 1998

'Murali' - bowling wizard of international fame

by M. B. Dassanayake

MUTTIAH MURALITHARAN - is a young man who is at the prime of his life's career to reach greater heights and fame. It is said "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 any unnecessary pride, but he is just a simple humble character, very gentle in his ways and manners who could fit into any society.

'Murali' was born on 1972.04.17 to parents 'Sinnasamy Muttiah' and 'Lakshmi'. He has three brothers 'Sri Dhanan, Sashi Dhanan and 'Prabhakaran'. He is 5 feet 7 inches in height, weight 60 kilos. His cricket coach at St. Anthony's College, Katugastota was Sunil Fernando. His cricket favourites are 'Vivian Richards, Sunil Gaveskar, Arjuna, Roshan, Aravinda, Richie Richardson. He first participated in Test cricket in 1993 against England.

Meadow cricketer

I have watched hundreds of 'teenagers play cricket in the meadows right around Nattaranpotha, Kundasale, the birth-place of Muralitharan, whose father I am aware is a businessman -making biscuits named 'Luckyland' located at Nattaranpotha where the 'Muralitharans' have been living for generations. Despite facing deadly problems in the not so remote past, the business has been able to survive for nearly three decades, now which speaks of its stability. To this lad 'Murali' was very fortunate enough to do what he liked, what he did all the days of his life without any hindrance from his good natured wealthy parents.

As I mentioned above, those hundreds of Nattaranpotha meadow cricketers 99.9% always clamour to bat and only bat. So 'Murali' mad about spinning, to see how he could beat the anticipations of batsmen, went on spinning and spinning most probably in the meadow cricketing tournaments. As he is said to be 26 years of age, he must have started his spinning in the late 1970's. So with all the essential factors for specialising in spin bowling virtually offered on a platter, it is not surprising he was able to reach international fame. It was the Nattaranpotha meadow cricket, the launching pad for his subsequent attainments. His entry into St. Anthony's College, Katugastota gave him the opportunity to make his mark as a spin-bowler of no mean repute. Thereafter, it was a matter of just walking up the steps.

Muttiah Muralitharan, spin-bowling speciality of international fame has recently been 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 to 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 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 admiration, sympathy and in defence of the controversial bowler, who has played many Tests and captured over hundreds of wickets.

We are all born to this world with various hidden talents and 'Murali's life purpose seem to be the cultivating and directing that particular talent, which is a 'God given gift' to be followed to the hilt. If not, such gifts will lie dormant and be lost for ever, it almost amounts to a sin against one's self.

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'.

Verdict

Today, despite some notable controversial decisions - or perhaps because of them - Darryl 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, Darryl Foster. Foster's report was signed along with David Lloyd, a lecturer in biomechanics and Augus 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.

Special test

Bowling action of Muttiah Muralitharan was checked by Dr. Ravindra S. Goonetilleke, Ph.D., M.Sc., M.S.A.E., B.Sc. (Hons.) MHF and ES of the Hongkong University of Science and Technology - Assistant Professor, Department of Industrial Engineering and Engineering Management with the assistance of Buwanaraja Perera, B.S., B.Eng. (Hons.)., C.Eng., M.I.Chem.E., M.I.W.E.M., and 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 Hong Kong on his way back to Sri Lanka after the tour of Australia.

Accordingly, Muralitharan arrived in Hong Kong on the 2nd February, and all tests reported here were conducted from the 3rd February, 1996, to the 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.

Recommendation

"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)