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ICC set to put doosra to rest
By Marlon Fernandopulle
One of the games most talked about regulations that has sparked off unending controversy and debates is set to be amended as the International Cricket Councils (ICC) Chief Executives prepare to ratify a recommendation by its Cricket Committee permitting all bowlers to flex their arms up to a maximum of 15 degrees at their quarterly meeting in Melbourne,Australia this week.

The recommendation comes following extensive tests and a study carried out on International bowlers during the Champions trophy in England last September by top human movement specialists and former test players who recommended the change to ICC's cricket committee from the current levels of 5 degrees (spinners), 7.5 degrees (medium fast) and 10 degrees (fast). Following the experiments at the champion's trophy in England it was revealed that 99% of the bowlers tested were going over the stipulated degrees while past test cricketers were also guilty of going over the limit.

Sri Lanka Cricket's (SLC) Chief executive officer Duleep Mendis will represent Sri Lanka at the crucial meeting, which will be held on th 4 th and 5 th of February. Speaking to the Sunday Times of the importance of the meeting Mendis said,"A very crucial decision will be made at the meeting with regard to the degree of tolerance permitted for bowlers. The Chief executives will have to ratify the recommendation of 15 degrees for all bowlers given by its cricket committee. We will be discussing this issue at length before ratifying it". Asked if there will be a difference of opinion among the CE's of the different countries Mendis replied, "I am not sure about that, but if a situation like that arises we will have to go for a vote".

Since the issue revolves around a technical matter directly involved in the game, it is almost certain that the Chief executives (the majority of them have not played test cricket) will go by the recommendation made by ICC's cricket committee which is headed by Sunil Gavaskar and comprises some of the top test players of the recent past.

Sri Lanka’s champion off spinner Muttiah Muralitharan will be one of the most relieved cricketers once this recommendation is ratified. Murali, who has been subjected to much hardship and claims to be victimized on the issue will be able to bowl his original doosra, which was believed to have a flexion of 14 degrees.

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