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Murali drops the doosra
By Marlon Fernandopulle
Sri Lanka Cricket (SLC) breathed a sigh of relief as their world record holder Muttaih Muralitharan refrained from bowling the doosra during the Zimbabwe first innings in the second test match at Bulawayo.

Earlier this week the 32 year old off spinner Muralitharan was quoted on the eve of the second test in the Sydney Morning Herald saying,"I will bowl the doosra anyway. Until the Sri Lankan Board tells me not to, I will".

Sri Lanka Cricket (SLC) officials in Colombo who were upset over these comments have advised Muralitharan through manager Ajith Jayasekera to refrain from bowling the delivery. In addition a letter has also been sent to Muralitharan from the SLC's bowling advisory group requesting Muralitharan not to bowl the delivery. SLC President Mohan de Silva who travelled to Zimbabwe earlier this week is also believed to have spoken and advised the bowler on the doosra.

It was after all this advice that the Sri Lankan off spinner finally decided to refrain from bowling the doosra during the second test that is now in progress in Bulawayo. The ICC in a statement earlier this week said it, "supports the the decision of Sri Lanka Cricket to instruct Muralitharan not to bowl his doosra delivery".

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