Suspicious minds! Umpires force Malinga to turn out his pockets
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Nothing fishy, it's just a warmer. Michael Clarke confirmed it's a legal act
The Sri Lankan speedster was walking back to his bowling mark in the 17th over of Australia’s innings when umpire Mick Martell approached him and questioned what was in his pocket. Malinga, in the balls previous, kept placing his bowling hand in his pocket which prompted commentator Michael Clarke to reveal the 33-year-old keeps a hand warmer in his pocket.
‘He normally has a hand warmer in pocket as it’s a little bit cold here at the MCG at night,’ Clarke said during the coverage.
‘He’s just got one warmer in there to keep the fingers warm for the way he releases the ball.’It’s legal, so everyone who thinks why does he keep placing his hands in his pocket, it’s just to keep it warm before he delivers the ball.’
Malinga showed Martell the white hand warmer which he deemed legal, handed him the ball and the game continued.
The game was a nail biter with the tourists securing a thrilling final ball victory.
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