'I never called anyone a chucker' - Murali

Muttiah Muralitharan has denied reports that he called Glenn McGrath, Jason Gillespie and Brett Lee "chuckers" and said that his comments had been misinterpreted. Murali's comments about the pace trio had elicited strong reactions from members of the Australian team. But Murali disputed those claims by saying that he had been quoted out of context.

"I never called anyone a chucker," Murali told The Sydney Morning Herald. "All I did was say that because 99% of bowlers have been found to extend their arms, if you are going to accuse me, then you have to look at everyone else. I have the right to say that because it is true that other bowlers extend. That is what science says."

During an interview on Melbourne's Radio Sport 927, Murali said that McGrath, Gillespie and Lee flexed their arms at 13, 12 and 14-15 degrees respectively. Murali claimed that he had been misrepresented and added, "All I said is that if you are accusing me of going over the level of tolerance, you have to look at your own bowlers, too."

Also, Murali predicted that his career would always be associated with such allegations, irrespective of whether tests cleared him or not. "I have been scrutinised more than any other bowler in the history of cricket. Why? I have done nothing to anybody. I never criticised people. I don't think anybody chucks."

Meanwhile the Sri Lankan board banned Murali from making statements on the bowling actions of other players. Ray Illangakoon, a spokesman for the board, said, "Since Murali is a contract player of Sri Lanka Cricket, we have told him that he is not allowed to make statements without our approval. From now on he will not make any statements."