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Muralitharan called again

Sri Lankan spin bowler Muttiah Muralitharan was called for throwing by Australian umpire Ross Emerson in a one-day international against England at the Adelaide Oval today.

Sri Lankan captain Arjuna Ranatunga held up the match after the call, and took his players towards the dressing room.

Muralitharan was called for throwing by Emerson and colleague Darrell Hair on Sri Lanka's previous visit to Australia. His action was later cleared by an ICc investigation.

Today, the offie was called on the third ball he bowled today and after the delay completed the over without further incident.

Hair has been charged by the ICC this month for recent comments in a book describing Muralitharan's action as "diabolical.''

Muralitharan was no-balled seven times by Hair, for throwing, in the Boxing Day Test match at the melbourne cricket ground in 1995. Emerson and mcquillan no-balled him in a limited-overs match in Brisbane.

Today's match was the first time Muralitharan bowled under the supervision of an umpire who had previously called him. McQuillan is also standing in the match.

Ranatunga said yesterday he was unconcerned about playing under Emerson and McQuillan.

Muralitharan had been subjected of taunts by Australian crowds in earlier matches this tour.

"It's frustrating when you go to the ground and people are shouting at you every time, that's the annoying thing more than anything else,'' Muralitharan said last week.

"But I think the more they shout the more I'll be tougher.''

Associated Press