Muralitharan's action illegal, says Gilchrist

The world's top-ranked batsman Adam Gilchrist says Sri Lankan off-spinner Muttiah Muralitharan's bowling action is illegal, the Herald Sun newspaper reported on Monday.

The Australian vice-captain, speaking at an Australian Rules football pre-match function in Melbourne, was asked if the Sri Lankan's controversial bowling action was illegal and replied "yes", the report said.

"Technically, if you read the rules, I think he's probably not quite within them," Gilchrist said of the world's top-ranked bowler.

"If a junior has an action like that out here, it's just corrected as quickly as possible.

"I'm sure a lot of people say (Australian fast bowler) Brett Lee throws the ball at different times.

"It's such a fine line and the technology we have now, they slow it down and scrutinise everything."

Muralitharan has taken 412 wickets in 73 Tests.

The Sri Lankan, the youngest player to take 400 Test wickets, was called for throwing seven times by Australian umpire Darrell Hair on Boxing Day of the 1995 Melbourne Test.

Ten days later he was no-balled again by Ross Emerson in a one-day international.

The International Cricket Council later cleared Muralitharan's bowling action.

"I don't have any argument against Murali," Gilchrist was reported by the Herald Sun as saying.

"He's a top bloke and a terrific cricketer, a real lively character and good fun.

"He's always smiling through all these hard times he has been through."

Also read:
- ICC again asked to scrutinise Murali's action
- Ruchira Perera reported for suspect action
- Perera called a 'chucker'

Mail Cricket Editor