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Deadly 'doosra' could clean bowl Murali
By Marlon Fernandopulle
Sri Lanka's champion off spinner Muttiah Muralitharan who is on the threshold of surpassing the World record has been strongly advised not to bowl the 'doosra' during the Zimbabwe test and one day series as it could lead to the bowler being reported again, which could eventually ban the player from playing.

As reported exclusively in last week's The Sunday Times Muralitharan's doosra is not within the current levels of tolerance (five degrees) set by the ICC for spinners who have suspect bowling actions. This fact has been stated in the report submitted earlier this week to Sri Lanka Cricket (SLC) by ICC's Human Movement Specialist Prof. Bruce Eliott of the University of Queensland, Western Australia. Sri Lanka's bowling review group later examined the report and some of the members of the group are believed to have advised Muralitharan to refrain from bowling the doosra during the Zimbabwe tour.

According to the ICC's reporting procedure for suspect bowlers, a player cannot be reported for the second time until the expiry of six weeks from the date the player was first reported. This effectively means that Muralitharan who was first reported on the 28th of March cannot be reported again by an ICC official until the 8th of May, which incidentally will be the 3rd day of the first test match. However on the 4th and 5th day of the 1st test and during the second test Muralitharan will once again be exposed and could be reported.

A report at this stage will trigger the ICC bowling review group to meet and hold a hearing to determine the legality of the player's bowling action. The hearing has to be held within 28 days of the receipt of the second report and the outcome will be decided on a vote. If the bowling review group decides by a simple majority vote that the player is guilty of breaching the law he shall be banned from bowling in international cricket for a period of 12 months.

South African Mike Proctor will be the ICC match refree, while two of the ICC's elite panel of umpires, still to be named along with an umpire from the Zimbabwe Cricket Union (ZCU-third umpire ) will be the ICC officials for the test series.

All these officials are empowered to make a report on Muralitharan if they so desire. Now that there is an element of illegality in Muralitharan's doosra, and if the bowler continues to bowl this delivery, there is a possibility of Muralitharan being reported again. If he is reported, there is every possibility that the bowling review group will also endorse the ICC officials report as they will be guided to a great extent by the report from the ICC human movement specialist which is not in favour of Muralitharan.Thus it would be highly advisable for Muralitharan to avoid bowling his doosra during this period.

The Sunday Times learns from reliable sources that Muralitharan has minimized the illegality of his doosra by bowling over the wicket and away from the stumps, closer to the return crease. However it is still not within the five degrees (amount of elbow straightening prior to the release of the ball ) that is currently permitted by the ICC regulations for spinners. The five degree figure is something that has also caused concern. Who has set it and how has it been set at five degrees?

There is also speculation that the ICC is to soon carry out comprehensive bio-mechanical tests on some of the leading spinners in the world to ascertain the right number of degrees that should be set for spinners.

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