GoEagles
5 Oct 2002, 00:17
Controversial Sri Lankan spinner Muttiah Muralitharan plans to unveil a mystery ball when he makes his long-awaited return to Australia in December.
Muralitharan says he has been working on an off-spinner's version of the flipper ahead of the one-day international series against Australia and England.
"I bowl it with my same action, a slightly flatter trajectory and it skids through faster than normal," Muralitharan has told new Australian publication Cricket Week.
"I've been trying it, but only in the nets so far. I want to be able to perfect it."
Muralitharan is looking to use the flipper before February's World Cup in South Africa, adding to an arsenal which has netted 430 Test wickets and 297 one-day international wickets.
The 30-year-old said he had always planned to return to Australia, where he was called for throwing by umpires on his last two tours.
Indian spinner Bishen Bedi re-ignited the controversy of Muralitharan's bowling action earlier this year when he said he looked "like a good javelin thrower".
And Australian vice-captain Adam Gilchrist added to it when he also admitted doubts over the bowler's action when questioned at a Melbourne football function.
But, having been cleared by the International Cricket Board, Muralitharan said it was a non-issue.
"I have proved (to) the world that I am fair. It is all finished now," Muralitharan said.
"In my mind I am not doing any unfair things.
"I am strong in mind and I fight for everything. I've had lots of work-outs. My success is not chance.
"I've had so many problems and ups and downs. Even when I was down I've thought I have to do well and I've fought back from these moments.
"For some reason they try to put you down. Ninety to 95 per cent don't. It's just the smallest percentages which do."
Source:
BaggyGreen (http://www-aus.cricket.org/link_to_database/ARCHIVE/CRICKET_NEWS/2002/OCT/071210_AAP_03OCT2002.html)
Is Muralitharan's bowling action a dead issue since he was cleared by the International Cricket Board or will the issue reignite itself when Sri Lanka turns Australia this summer?
Muralitharan says he has been working on an off-spinner's version of the flipper ahead of the one-day international series against Australia and England.
"I bowl it with my same action, a slightly flatter trajectory and it skids through faster than normal," Muralitharan has told new Australian publication Cricket Week.
"I've been trying it, but only in the nets so far. I want to be able to perfect it."
Muralitharan is looking to use the flipper before February's World Cup in South Africa, adding to an arsenal which has netted 430 Test wickets and 297 one-day international wickets.
The 30-year-old said he had always planned to return to Australia, where he was called for throwing by umpires on his last two tours.
Indian spinner Bishen Bedi re-ignited the controversy of Muralitharan's bowling action earlier this year when he said he looked "like a good javelin thrower".
And Australian vice-captain Adam Gilchrist added to it when he also admitted doubts over the bowler's action when questioned at a Melbourne football function.
But, having been cleared by the International Cricket Board, Muralitharan said it was a non-issue.
"I have proved (to) the world that I am fair. It is all finished now," Muralitharan said.
"In my mind I am not doing any unfair things.
"I am strong in mind and I fight for everything. I've had lots of work-outs. My success is not chance.
"I've had so many problems and ups and downs. Even when I was down I've thought I have to do well and I've fought back from these moments.
"For some reason they try to put you down. Ninety to 95 per cent don't. It's just the smallest percentages which do."
Source:
BaggyGreen (http://www-aus.cricket.org/link_to_database/ARCHIVE/CRICKET_NEWS/2002/OCT/071210_AAP_03OCT2002.html)
Is Muralitharan's bowling action a dead issue since he was cleared by the International Cricket Board or will the issue reignite itself when Sri Lanka turns Australia this summer?