Cricket: New delivery gets Muralitharan reported for suspect action again

The International Cricket Council has confirmed that Sri Lanka spin bowler Muttiah Muralitharan has been reported for a suspected illegal bowling action relating to his new delivery, which spins away from the right-handed batsmen.

ICC match referee Chris Broad acted after watching Muralitharan's action during the third test against Australia in Colombo.

Over the next six weeks, an expert bio-mechanist from the ICC's approved list will be appointed by Sri Lanka Cricket to work with the bowler on his action.

Muralitharan can continue to play in the meantime.

He is the fourth player reported to the ICC in the past 12 months under its revised process to deal with potentially flawed actions.

Jermaine Lawson (West Indies), Sanwar Hossain (Bangladesh) and Shabbir Ahmed (Pakistan) have previously been asked to undergo remedial work.

Lawson is available for selection for the West Indies after completing this work and recovering from a series of injuries, Ahmed is back and played in Pakistan's one-day series against India after making some technical adjustments to his action and Hossain has played for Bangladesh since his action was reported.

ICC chief executive Malcolm Speed said the organisation treated every bowler in the same way.

"All bowlers' actions are scrutinised and the match officials are empowered to make a report where they have concerns.

"This report is no different from the three others that have taken place in the past 12 months and will be treated no differently.

"This most recent report has been made based on concerns relating to a specific delivery, not the entire bowling action of the player."

Muralitharan cannot be reported again during the six week period.

At the end of that time the ICC will be provided with a specialist report on the remedial action, if any is required, that has taken place.

If Muralitharan is reported again within 12 months of this initial report, the matter will be dealt with by the ICC's bowling review group, which has the power to suspend players.