Cricket: Controversial bowler defiant over secret weapon

Muttiah Mulitharan

Controversial off-spinner Muttiah Muralitharan says he will keep bowling his outlawed doosra, even if it means another showdown with the game's hierarchy.

The man with the helicopter wrist-action was effectively banned from bowling his mystery ball last year after ICC-initiated tests found he was flexing his right elbow by more than the allowed 5 per cent, and was subsequently in breach of the throwing law.

However, Muralitharan defied the order during last week's charity match in Melbourne, and has wasted no time in defending his right to bowl the doosra in New Zealand this week, and whenever else he might think appropriate.

Sidelined for the past six months from shoulder surgery, the world's most controversial cricketer arrived in Christchurch yesterday to begin preparations for the first of three one-dayers between his FICA-World XI side and New Zealand.

Having made his name with a delivery that finger-spinners are not supposed to be able to bowl - a wrong-'un that has left a procession of the world's best batsmen groping in its wake, he said he wasn't about to discard his secret weapon quite yet.

"Well, no one told me I couldn't bowl it," Muralitharan said of his doosra.

"The Sri Lanka Cricket board suggested that it might not be in my interests to bowl it, but no one has told me I can't bowl it.

"The media has been reading this wrong. I can bowl it whenever I want and if I get reported then I'll have to go for a hearing."

Muralitharan's plight initially seemed likely to improve under the ICC's new recommendation on the issue, which would allow all bowlers to flex their elbows by 15 per cent, and provide a hard and fast measurement for the anomaly.

The Sri Lankan apparently comes in just under the threshold at 14 per cent when bowling his doosra.

However, former fast-bowler Michael Holding has warned off-spinners who believe they can continue to bowl the doosra with impunity under the new law that they had better start thinking again.

Holding, a member of the ICC committee that reviewed the throwing law, told Melbourne's The Age this week that he remained sceptical about the legitimacy of the action required to deliver the doosra, and that he had yet to see one delivered with anything like a straight arm.

"I think it's almost impossible," said Holding. "When I can see a bowler bowl one with a perfectly straight arm or straightening within the accepted degree, I'll be happy, but I haven't seen it yet."

The doosra of Muralitharan and young Pakistan off-spinner Shoaib Malik are banned, while India's Harbhajan Singh is on report for the same delivery.

Muralitharan, a touch sensitive about the issue after a career littered with unsavoury no-balling experiences and ICC reviews, bridled at a suggestion that he would be looking forward to the ICC relaxing the throwing laws next month.

"I think not only myself but also all of the bowlers around the world will be interested in what happens. It will affect everyone."

The sentimental hero of the charity match at Melbourne, Muralitharan has warmed to the World XI concept, enjoying last week's game to such an extent that he dropped his threatened boycott of Australia, and became mates with arch-rival Shane Warne.

He said it was encouraging to see the cricket fraternity banding together to help in an hour of need, and from an entirely selfish point of view, a lot of fun to be playing alongside traditional rivals such as Warne and Brian Lara.

"It's enjoyable to play with some of the greats and get to know the other players better, because in a time like this the entire cricket family is drawn together.

"From this disaster I've seen many players from all around the world trying to help, and that's got to be good for everyone."

The presence of both Warne and Muralitharan in the same side has proved a huge boost for the promoters of the World Series, and the Sri Lankan wicket-taking ace is as excited as anyone about the prospect.

"It'll be good to bowl with him because he's one of the greatest bowlers ever seen and I can learn more about how he thinks, and how he works in the field.

"It'll be good to watch him and maybe pick something up."

However, the son of a confectionary-maker laughed when he was asked if his team would be working on any specific strategies to counter the threat of the New Zealanders.

"We don't need a strategy," said Murali. "There's so many great players in our team that I'm sure we'll be able to cope regardless."