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Umpires question Murli's action

Most umpires who have officiated in Sri Lanka's matches have made informal reports to the authorities over off-spinner Muttiah Muralitharan's bowling action, New South Wales umpires director Dick French said in Sydney today.

But French, a former Test umpire, said he doubts the International Cricket Council's nine-man committee will take any decisive action once the reports are forwarded by the Australian Cricket Board.

French was at the Adelaide Oval last weekend when Muralitharan was no-balled for throwing by umpire Ross Emerson.

He watched the bowler's action through powerful binoculars and is convinced Emerson made the right call.

He probably could have called him earlier but he wanted to make sure,'' French said. "It took great strength of character to do it knowing how the Sri Lankans would react."

"And then the pressure he was put under for the next few hours was astonishing and he handled it very well.''

"I know that other umpires this year in the series have put in unofficial reports which means they are concerned about his action, even though they didn't call him. When I say they have reported him unofficially, I think to a man they would all agree his action is doubtful.''

Emerson was one of three Australian umpires who called Muralitharan for chucking on the last Sri Lankan tour in Australia in 1995-96.

His action was later cleared by the ICC, which will now review it again because of Emerson's decision to no-ball him.

"The ICC will then pass it to the nine-man committee who will review his action, they will ask Sri Lanka to review his action, which, of course they arre meant to have done before,'' said French.

"They'll go through that process again and I doubt that anything will come from it to be quite honest."

"Most countries in the past have taken it upon themselves to have a look at a local bowler's action and either change it or make sure he doesn't bowl.''

Muralitharan has never been called for throwing in any other country.

UNI

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