Murali Finally Speaks Out Against Bedi
http://www.senore.com/Cricket/Muttiah-Muralitharan-c78157 has finally broken his silence and spoken out against long time critic, the former Indian captain, Bishan Bedi. While speaking to reporters, Muralitharan referred to Bedi as an ‘ordinary bowler’, “He (Bedi) did not have any variation. He just bowled left-arm spin and the pitch did the variation for him. That is what he bowled. I saw some (of his) bowling of his playing days. He would have been hammered every ball had he played in the modern era.” Murali said.
Bedi, who took some 266 wickets in 67 Tests and was famous for his classical action, started the rift with Murali when he criticized his bowling, comparing him to a javelin thrower. "If Murali doesn't chuck, then show me how to bowl. How can you call it bowling? He (Muralitharan) has no follow through and he makes no use of his shoulders. Murali's arm doesn't go up at all. I have a picture of him bowling somewhere. He looks like a good javelin thrower.” Bedi had said in an interview in 2002.
Murali’s unique style of bowling has come under debate throughout his career, with umpires and officials accusing him of throwing. Darrel Hair, the Australian umpire mentioned in his autobiography that Murali had a tendency of straightening his arm which meant he was guilty of throwing. Murali was called out three times for throwing, but all three times by Australian umpires, which raised the debate that this was a conspiracy to contain Sri Lankan team’s greatest weapon.
With his career and future unsecure, Murali’s actions were analyzed by the University of http://www.senore.com/Cricket/Hong-Kong-c2919 University of Science and Technology, both reports confirming that his action was indeed legal. Murali’s action was photographed at 1,000 frames per second from about six different angles. The University of Western Australia said in an official statement, “From certain angles he does look suspect but from other angles there was not a problem. The throwing was a mere `optical illusion'.”
The Hong Kong University also released its report, according to which they said that Murali was physically incapable of extending his right arm and said that his partially bent arm did not even straighten when he bowled off breaks and leg breaks. The International Cricket Council also reviewed his case, coming to the same conclusion that his action was legal and cleared him of allegations before the World Cup of 1996.
When the controversy was in full swing, there were talks of Murali threatening to take legal action in 2004 and then again there were talks of him considering taking legal action against Bedi, seeking about US$17 million. But Bedi claimed he had no personal grudge against Murali and the issue soon died down. This is the first time Murali, who has recently retired after claiming 800 Test wickets, has spoken out against people who have questioned the legality of his bowling style.
Murali compared Bedi to the other stars in the 70’s, like off spinner Venkataraghavan, Erapalli Prasanna and the leg spinner, Bhagwath Chandrasekhar. Murali revealed that he rated the other bowlers above Bedi because of their variation and creativity, “Prasanna is a good bowler. I have seen his bowling. Venkataraghavan is good. But Bedi does not come under it.” Murali said.
The recently retired Murali, who is now 38, is undoubtedly a legend. His last match at in Galle, he took eight wickets, to not only set up an almost unachievable personal record but to also lead his team to a win. On the occasion of the Sri Lankan’s retirement, Bedi attempted to settle the feud by praising Murali, “I may not agree with Murali's action or may have called all Murali wickets as run-outs, but I have the highest respect for him as a human being, a kindhearted man.” Bedi told reporters.
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