Spinner on trial (10 March 1999)
Muttiah Muralitharan, the extraordinary Sri Lankan spinner, is likely to escape censure during his time with Lancashire this summer despite deep reservations about the legality of his controversial action held by several English umpires
10-Mar-1999
10 March 1999
Spinner on trial
Martin Searby
Muttiah Muralitharan, the extraordinary Sri Lankan spinner, is likely
to escape censure during his time with Lancashire this summer despite
deep reservations about the legality of his controversial action held
by several English umpires.
His prodigious off-breaks have already brought 203 wickets in 42 Tests
as well as causing major incidents when two Australian umpires,
Darrell Hair and Ross Emerson, called him for throwing and at least
half a dozen of England's 26 first-class officials are not convinced
that his action is legitimate.
Barrie Leadbeater, chairman of the first-class umpires, admits that
there could be difficulties with interpretations. "I can see problems
that might arise, but I shall be asking the lads at our meeting next
month that they if they're not happy with a delivery or a spell, not
to call him but instead fill out the appropriate part of their report
and let the authorities sort it out. They must decide once and for all
whether his action is legal or not," Leadbeater said.
One senior umpire who did not want to be named because of possible
repercussions, said: "Given the precise wording of the law I don't see
how any umpire can be entirely satisfied with the absolute fairness on
the evidence of what I have seen. Naturally every delivery has to be
judged on its merits, but until someone tells me differently I shall
interpret the law to the letter."
Source :: Electronic Telegraph (https://www.telegraph.co.uk)