Murali action cleared by report (21 June 1999)

21 June 1999

Murali action cleared by report

The Lancashire Evening Telegraph

Muttiah Muralitharan has been officially cleared of an illegal bowling action.

A team of Australian scientists carried out an exhaustive series of tests of the Sri Lankan spinner and told the International Cricket Conference: "The conclusion is clear - he is not a thrower."

Bruce Elliott, head of the investigation, added in his report that doubts over Murali's delivery stemmed from a deformed bowling arm that when extended was bent at an angle of 37 degrees.

Coupled with his extraordinary wrist rotation it could give the false impression, from certain angles, of throwing.

The ICC have accepted the scientific evidence which backed up the claim of Lancashire coach Dav Whatmore who said the 'throwing' action was an optical illusion.

Murali, who has taken 24 wickets for Lancashire in four championship innings, was last called for throwing in a triangular series match in Adelaide against England five months ago.

Source :: The Lancashire Evening Telegraph