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Are the Asians and doosra the target?
By Marlon Fernandopulle
Former England opening batsman Chris Broad,now a ICC match referee has reported Indian off spinner Harbajahn Singh's doosra for a suspect bowling action.Broad who also reported Muralitharan for his doosra earlier this year has also been joined by the ICC umpires Aleem Dar and Mark Benson in this instance.

Although Broads reporting of Muralitharan came as a surprise to the entire cricket world the reporting of Harbajahn Singh was expected as the Indian off spinner was believed to have exceeded the current ICC tolerance level (5 degrees) significantly.Infact according to the study done by the ICC during the champions trophy this year it was revealed that 99% of the bowlers exceeded these current levels while Harbajahns doosra was believed to be in the region of 22 degrees.

ICC match referees and the elite panel of umpires are aware(after the study that was done during the ICC champions trophy) that most of the current day test bowlers are exceeding the current tolerance levels including Australian bowlers Glen Mcgrath,Jason Gillespie and Brett Lee.Infact the Sunday Times learns from reliable sources that Glen Mcgrath’s inswinger is believed to be in the region of 12 degrees when the permitted level is currently 10 degrees.And how about the faster ball or the bouncers of these bowlers?Surely some of the bouncers are bound to be having a significantly higher degree level than what is currently set by the ICC! So the question that begs to be asked is why aren't the match refrees and elite panel umpires not suspecting or reporting the actions of Mcgrath and company?

Doesn't the action of the ICC match officials prove that only the Shoaib Maliks, Muralitharans and the Singhs (all Asians) and their doosras are targeted while the fast bowlers and their bouncers are not?

I am very satisfied with my progress -Murali
Sri Lankas champion off spinner Muttiah Muralitharan who began bowling earlier this month following his shoulder surgery has expressed satisfaction over his progress and is eagerly looking forward to joining his teammates in New Zealand .

Speaking to the Sunday Times Murali said,"I have been bowling every other day for the past three weeks or so and I must say that I am very satisfied with my progress".Sri Lankas highest wicket taker in tests and one dayers Muralitharan has been out of action since August this year.However the bowler is optimistic of joining his teammates in New Zealand for the two test matches in mid January next year."The test matches are about 20 days away, and that gives me more time for my recovery".

The off spinner who underwent surgery in August this year is also in touch with his Australian surgeon Dr David Young."I have kept Dr Young informed of my progress"Murali admitted.Infact it was only last month that Murali visited his surgeonDr David Young in Australia and received the all clear signal to recommence bowling.

Muttiah Muralitharan is expected to play in a practice game organized by Sri Lanka Cricket (SLC) on Tuesday to prove his match fitness and receive the green light from the SLC and the National Selectors to take wing to New Zealand.

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