New Tests In Bid To Clear Muralitharan (14 Jan 1996)

Film footage taken with high speed cameras under supervision of Daryl Foster - one of the most successful Australian coaches

New tests in bid to clear Muralitharan

By John Yarwood

PERTH, Australia, Jan 13 - Controversial Sri Lankan bowler Muttiah Muralitharan -- no-balled for throwing 14 times in less than three weeks -- has been filmed by high-speed cameras here as the tourists continue their bid to prove his action is legitimate.

Sri Lankan captain Arjuna Ranatunga said here Saturday the footage was shot Friday at the University of Western Australia under the supervision of physical education expert Daryl Foster, one of the most successful coaches in Australian cricket history.

During his long reign as Western Australian coach, Foster guided the State to the Sheffield Shield nine times and the domestic one-day championship on six occasions.

He still coaches Kent in the English county championship.

Ranatunga said the new tests were arranged after Foster had been approached by Sri Lankan vice-captain Aravinda de Silva, who played with Kent last year Muralitharan also spent five weeks with Kent to gain experience of English conditions.

In the tests, experts from the university`s department of human movement captured Muralitharan`s action from six angles as he bowled his off-spinners for more than an hour.

The 23-year-old bowled in a singlet (vest), leaving his arm bare so the camera could have an uninterrupted view of his shoulder, elbow and wrist.

Ranatunga said the tests were the latest move in the tourists` bid to prove Muralitharan did not throw.

The film was taken at speeds of up to 200 frames a second. Video is usually shot at 25 frames a second.

Foster said the film had been sent to Melbourne for processing and results should be known next week. "Then we will be able to make some judgments on the legality of his action,`` Foster said.

"The Sri Lankans will get a full report on the tests. I do not believe Muralitharan throws, but that is just a personal opinion.``

Sri Lanka are keen to have the youngster cleared quickly so he can be included in their 14-man squad for the World Cup one-day tournament to be held in India, Pakistan and Sri Lanka from the middle of next month.

Muralitharan was no-balled seven times in three overs by umpire Darrell Hair on the opening day of the second Test in Melbourne on December 26.

Eight days ago, umpire Ross Emerson called him another seven times in a World Series one-day game against the West Indies in Brisbane. (AFP)

Source:: Lake House/Lanka Internet Services