Was referring more to instances of the 1960/61 West Indies Tour where the white Gerry Alexander was accepted into someone's home when his two darker skinned companions weren't. Also, with the issue of the iimmigration restrictions of the past as well as some recent acts of violence against those whose origins are from the subcontinent I think. Didn't say that anyone here on CW was racist but why is it that Lee's action isn't at all discussed as based on the naked eye it is a bit suspect. Lawson gets called time and again but gets cleared by the ICC every time. Also I haven't heard reports of any Australian or Englishman's action being brought into question. Saying that there are quite a few who'll disregard Murali based on race. Not the majority though who are Warne fans and won't accept his greatness being challenged. Also, others have pro- aussie biases.For me Warne is better but not by such a distance as some suggest because based on the stats there isn't too much between them really and they must have other motives behind their opinions.
I accept that. I also accept that if Alexander and his team-mates had toured the US, they wouldn't have been able to get on the same bus in some states at that time. The white Australia policy was disbanded in the late 60s-early 70s.
If that's the basis of saying Australia has a racist past, then so do all the other countries, including SA, India, UK and US. Not to excuse it, but it's a fact. So why would it be a basis for seeking to invalidate critics of Murali from this country instead of any other?
Re. the riots here at Cronulla - was an anti-Middle Eastern thing iirc. Still diabolical though and a moment of great shame, frankly for most right-thinking (as opposed to Right-thinking) Australians.
I think the point that Warne is such a hero to so many here is probably a more vaild one - there tends to be a zealous/ over-zealous defending of his record over anyone else's.
Re the Lee issue - I suppose it's not discussed in this particular thread given the subject of it. I have heard it discussed a few times on CW, but certainly not to the extent of the Murali issue. Why that's so I don't know, given that CW has members from all over. I suspect it may have to do with Murali's record rather than a race thing, because we don't really discuss many others re. their actions, be they from anywhere.
There was a recent thing on here not long ago, including a discussion involving SS re Shoaib's delivery, but for the most part it's not discussed as much. Personally, I haven't really looked into the evidence of whether Shoaib chucks or not, and based on the times I've seen him bowl, I don't think so. As for Lee, I think he's had some problems in the past when he's gone wider on the crease, and I think he was reported about it and did some remedial work. I haven't heard it mentioned too much lately though.
I do know that there have been some other Aussie bowlers who have had their actions queried - Aaron Bird is one - and they've had to go and be analysed before having remedial work done on their actions. Perhaps, and it's only a maybe, those guys might get picked up within the under age elite squads or at 1st class level befor they get international exposure. If you look at the individuals who've done most of the bowling for Australia in recent times, there probably hasn't been an issue (Lee aside) - Gillespie, McGrath, S Clark, Kaspa, Warne, McGill - they weren't individuals whose actions have been under suspicion. But that doesn't mean that the next young quick form here who comes through won't be scrutinised if his action is suspect.
I suppose, with Lee as with anyone, it needs to be monitored because you might have someone who normally has an action that passes muster, but on a certain day, fatigue or injury may cause that person to infringe. Which is why, imo, it was madness to take the decision on throwing out of the umpire's hands on the field.
