Perera called a 'chucker'

Sri Lanka's left-arm medium pace bowler Ruchira Perera was caught in a "chucking" storm after ripping the heart out of England's batting at Lord's on the third day of the first Test, on Saturday.

The little-known left-armer was accused by ex-England stars Dermot Reeve and Mike Atherton of having a suspect action as Nasser Hussain's men were left struggling to save the Test.

The 25-year-old Perera is not one of the world's top bowlers but he performed like a world-beater, taking three for 8 with his whippy medium pacers, as England were forced to follow-on after they were dismissed for 275 in reply to Sri Lanka's first innings score of 555 for 8 declared.

England's predicament was overshadowed by the row over Perera's bowling action, with television replays showing his arm bending just before the ball was released. The rule states a bowler's arm must remain straight at all times.

Reeve, now a commentator for Channel 4, told Michael Atherton on air while studying Perera's action: "I'm sorry Michael, but that is a throw. I am going to put my head on the block."

If the umpires choose to report Perera, it is likely to be in their report to the match referee, India's Gundappa Vishwanath, after the game. The recent convention has been to deal with suspect bowlers behind closed doors and not no-ball them on the field.

Mail Cricket Editor