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Murali risks ban if reported again

Thursday, April 22 2004

Star Sri Lankan off-spinner, Muttiah Muralitharan, risks a one-year ban if umpires report him for suspect action in any match before March 2005, the International Cricket Council (ICC) has said.

In a statement released yesterday, the ICC said, "Should any bowler be reported for a second time within 12 months of the first report, the ICC will convene a hearing of its own Bowling Review Group, which has the power to impose a ban of up to 12 months should it determine that the bowler's action is illegal."

The ICC said it issued the statement to clarify the current status of Muralitharan, which has sparked criticism of the ICC in Sri Lanka.

The ICC also stressed, "The existing regulations governing the degree to which a spin bowler can straighten his arm or 'level of tolerance' (five degrees) remain in place and will be enforced. Should any bowler be reported for a second time within 12 months of the first report, the ICC will convene a hearing of its own Bowling Review Group which has the power to impose a ban of up to 12 months should it determine the bowler's action is illegal."

Meanwhile, Lankan cricket authorities on Wednesday slammed "speculative reporting" for fuelling a controversy over Muralitharan running the risk of ban.

Sri Lanka Cricket chief Mohan de Silva accused local media of speculating on the findings of a biomechanical expert who tested Muralitharan for suspect bowling action in Australia and casting doubts over the player. "What the media has done is to selectively take bits and pieces from the report. This is damaging to the player as well as the game."

De Silva denied media reports the ICC had threatened to ban Muralitharan, saying the sport's world governing body merely set out the procedure involved when a bowler was reported for a suspect action.

Posted by Sudeep