Date-stamped : 09 Dec95 - 06:28

Sri Lanka in Chucking Row

By Peter Deeley in Sydney

A YOUNG Tamil who is Sri  Lanka`s leading Test wicket-taker is at
the eye of a `chucking`  controversy which threatens to boil over
again  when the tourists take on  Australia in  the first Test of
their three-match series in Perth this week.

Muttiah Muralitharan, 23,  an  off-spinner  with an  unusual  and
highly-debated  action, is one of  the reasons why  Sri Lanka are
going through the  most  successful phase in their 14-year  Test-
playing history.

In 21 Tests, Muralitharan has taken 78 wickets at  a cost of just
over 30 runs, including five in an innings  on five occasions. He
was a key  factor in Sri  Lanka`s two overseas series victories -
in New Zealand and Pakistan - this year.

But  his double-jointed  wrist action, getting  considerable turn
with  the ball, has become the  most photographed delivery in the
game.  Film of  the spinner in  operation  in Queensland in   Sri
Lanka`s  first tour game  two weeks ago  has been studied  by the
Australian Cricket Board.

At Napier in New Zealand, where he took five for 64 in the second
innings in Sri Lanka`s win earlier this  year, the home side were
so convinced there was an element of  throwing in the action that
they protested to match referee Barry Jarman.

After  the game Graham Dowling, the  then  chief executive of New
Zealand   cricket, passed on  the  complaint to the International
Cricket Council.

By   coincidence,  Dowling will  be  the   match referee in  this
series. If the umpires report  any doubts he will  be in a unique
position, knowing the issue from inside.

Film taken  of his action  was seen  by the International Cricket
Council after the New Zealand tour

Neil Perera, speaking for   the Sri Lanka cricket board,  refuted
the   New Zealand allegations,  saying  that the spinner had been
photographed and checked  several times  by home officials.   "He
has been completely cleared," Perera added.

That has not stopped the rumours, however. England privately felt
uncertain when they met Muralitharan in Colombo in 1993, where he
took  five wickets in  Sri Lanka`s win. Film  taken of his action
was  seen  by  the International  Cricket Council after the   New
Zealand tour.

David Richards, the ICC`s  chief executive, said: "Sri Lanka were
advised  there  were  some doubts and   some tidying up might  be
necessary.

"They followed  this advice, did some  work  with the bowler, and
everybody  seemed  satisfied.   But if  it  becomes necessary  in
Australia then it would be  possible to go through this mechanism
again."

Mushtaq      Ahmed,  the  Pakistan    leg-spinner,  believes that
Muralitharan  will be a source of  trouble for the Australians in
the Tests. "He  is   a   dangerous bowler, very positive      and
aggressive," he added.

After drawing their   rain-affected match  against Tasmania,  the
tourists   have   several  injury  worries.  Romesh Kaluwitharana
aggravated a hamstring injury, but is expected to take his  place
in   Perth,  while Asanka  Gurusinha (broken thumb),  Aravinda de
Silva (knuckle) and Hashan Tillekaratne (hamstring) are doubtful.

Source :: Electronic Telegraph (http: www.telegraph.co.uk)

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