According to Smith. Obviously needs to sell a book, but his comments shouldn't be dismissed lightly. Another cricketer mocking the farce that that is the ICC. Also, his ranking of Murali would be common among Murali's peers IMO -stats be damned:
Kiwi accuses Lee of chucking
February 10, 2003
BRETT LEE, Shoaib Akhtar and Muttiah Muralitharan have been accused of chucking - again.
Pointing the finger this time is World Cup television commentator and former New Zealand wicketkeeper Ian Smith in his new book, Outrageous Cricket Moments, released on the eve of the Australia-Pakistan game at the Wanderers in Johannesburg.
Lee was mentioned only briefly as Smith saved his best ammunition for Shoaib and Muralitharan.
"I have a suspicion Brett Lee throws some deliveries, especially when he's seeking extra pace," is Smith's lone comment about the Australian.
The three of them have been cleared by the International Cricket Council, although they all have doubters, Shoaib and Muralitharan more than Lee. Smith ranks among them.
"The Sri Lankan off-spinner throws rather than bowls the ball," he writes.
"I've heard all about how he's had a deformity since birth and is therefore unable to straighten his right arm. If that's the case, then that's bad luck for Murali. He's still breaking the laws of cricket and therefore should not be allowed to bowl.
"The reason I'm a little sceptical of the birth deformity story anyway is that I have seen him bowling leg-spinners (when trying to complete an over after being no-balled) and he's bowled them very well. It is virtually impossible to bowl leg-spin with a bent arm." Smith is due to commentate on Sri Lanka's match against New Zealand in Bloemfontein the day the book came out.
"Sadly, I've never regarded Murali's achievements highly," Smith continues. "He's not alone in bluffing them. Shoaib Akhtar has a very dubious action. I'm not surprised many of the world's batsmen have questioned its legality and I am surprised he has been cleared to continue." He will continue - quickly - in a showdown with Lee and Australia tomorrow.
Kiwi accuses Lee of chucking
February 10, 2003
BRETT LEE, Shoaib Akhtar and Muttiah Muralitharan have been accused of chucking - again.
Pointing the finger this time is World Cup television commentator and former New Zealand wicketkeeper Ian Smith in his new book, Outrageous Cricket Moments, released on the eve of the Australia-Pakistan game at the Wanderers in Johannesburg.
Lee was mentioned only briefly as Smith saved his best ammunition for Shoaib and Muralitharan.
"I have a suspicion Brett Lee throws some deliveries, especially when he's seeking extra pace," is Smith's lone comment about the Australian.
The three of them have been cleared by the International Cricket Council, although they all have doubters, Shoaib and Muralitharan more than Lee. Smith ranks among them.
"The Sri Lankan off-spinner throws rather than bowls the ball," he writes.
"I've heard all about how he's had a deformity since birth and is therefore unable to straighten his right arm. If that's the case, then that's bad luck for Murali. He's still breaking the laws of cricket and therefore should not be allowed to bowl.
"The reason I'm a little sceptical of the birth deformity story anyway is that I have seen him bowling leg-spinners (when trying to complete an over after being no-balled) and he's bowled them very well. It is virtually impossible to bowl leg-spin with a bent arm." Smith is due to commentate on Sri Lanka's match against New Zealand in Bloemfontein the day the book came out.
"Sadly, I've never regarded Murali's achievements highly," Smith continues. "He's not alone in bluffing them. Shoaib Akhtar has a very dubious action. I'm not surprised many of the world's batsmen have questioned its legality and I am surprised he has been cleared to continue." He will continue - quickly - in a showdown with Lee and Australia tomorrow.
