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12-21-2006, 06:53 AM
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UNDER SCRUTINY: Controversy over Sri Lanka's Muttiah Muralitharan suspect bowling action follows the test side everywhere.
Mahela Jayawardene did not need to give his troops a team talk yesterday morning.
The victorious Sri Lankan captain said all the motivation came the previous evening from former New Zealand test captain Martin Crowe, who, during a commentary stint on Sky TV, revisited the subject of Muttiah Muralitharan's bowling action.
Crowe claimed that since the rule allowing a 15-degree flex in a bowler's arm was introduced in 2004, Muralitharan had never been tested to see whether he had fallen back into old habits - especially when delivering his lethal doosra.
Crowe said the ICC was remiss in not running regular warrant of fitness checks on problem actions but the Sri Lankans took umbrage at his reference after their series levelling 217-run victory in the second test at the Basin Reserve.
"I have a lot of regard for that person who made that comment as a cricketer but those things should be left alone to people who understand the (situation)," Jayawardene said.
"I know Murali wouldn't want me to say those things, but for me personally and the team I didn't have to make a big speech to motivate the guys because that motivated the guys to do well.
"We had a game in Christchurch and Murali took seven wickets and we heard none of those comments, so obviously when we are in a good situation to hear those is quite unfair."
Jayawardene added concerns over Muralitharan's action had not been raised at any stage this year during series against England, Australia, South Africa and Pakistan.
Muralitharan systematically worked his way through the New Zealand batting lineup yesterday to end with 6-87 from 34.1 overs and a match analysis of 10-118.
It represented his fifth 10-wicket haul in the past six tests and took his calendar year tally to 90 in 11 tests and career tally to 674.
He also prised a record off Daniel Vettori that the New Zealand left-arm spinner had for less than 24 hours. Vettori's 10-183 earlier in the test was the first 10-wicket haul by a slow bowler on the Basin Reserve but that mark has now been bettered.
Jayawardene was the first to concede that four individual efforts had paved the way for their victory.
Kumar Sangakkara's breathtaking century was the start, then Lasith Malinga' blinding spell of yorkers followed by Chamara Silva's maiden test century and Murali's fourth-day demolition.
Jayawardene said Malinga's yorker had developed on the mid-year tour to England and with his increased pace and unique action he could sympathise with the problems opposition sides faced.
Malinga had an eventful day yesterday despite battling a nasty cold.
He claimed the key wicket of Stephen Fleming with his second ball of the morning and knocked out Vettori's middle stump with a no ball on the way to taking 2-62.
"He's a tough guy, he's got a big heart and I'm glad that he is in my side," the Sri Lankan captain said.
UNDER SCRUTINY: Controversy over Sri Lanka's Muttiah Muralitharan suspect bowling action follows the test side everywhere.
Mahela Jayawardene did not need to give his troops a team talk yesterday morning.
The victorious Sri Lankan captain said all the motivation came the previous evening from former New Zealand test captain Martin Crowe, who, during a commentary stint on Sky TV, revisited the subject of Muttiah Muralitharan's bowling action.
Crowe claimed that since the rule allowing a 15-degree flex in a bowler's arm was introduced in 2004, Muralitharan had never been tested to see whether he had fallen back into old habits - especially when delivering his lethal doosra.
Crowe said the ICC was remiss in not running regular warrant of fitness checks on problem actions but the Sri Lankans took umbrage at his reference after their series levelling 217-run victory in the second test at the Basin Reserve.
"I have a lot of regard for that person who made that comment as a cricketer but those things should be left alone to people who understand the (situation)," Jayawardene said.
"I know Murali wouldn't want me to say those things, but for me personally and the team I didn't have to make a big speech to motivate the guys because that motivated the guys to do well.
"We had a game in Christchurch and Murali took seven wickets and we heard none of those comments, so obviously when we are in a good situation to hear those is quite unfair."
Jayawardene added concerns over Muralitharan's action had not been raised at any stage this year during series against England, Australia, South Africa and Pakistan.
Muralitharan systematically worked his way through the New Zealand batting lineup yesterday to end with 6-87 from 34.1 overs and a match analysis of 10-118.
It represented his fifth 10-wicket haul in the past six tests and took his calendar year tally to 90 in 11 tests and career tally to 674.
He also prised a record off Daniel Vettori that the New Zealand left-arm spinner had for less than 24 hours. Vettori's 10-183 earlier in the test was the first 10-wicket haul by a slow bowler on the Basin Reserve but that mark has now been bettered.
Jayawardene was the first to concede that four individual efforts had paved the way for their victory.
Kumar Sangakkara's breathtaking century was the start, then Lasith Malinga' blinding spell of yorkers followed by Chamara Silva's maiden test century and Murali's fourth-day demolition.
Jayawardene said Malinga's yorker had developed on the mid-year tour to England and with his increased pace and unique action he could sympathise with the problems opposition sides faced.
Malinga had an eventful day yesterday despite battling a nasty cold.
He claimed the key wicket of Stephen Fleming with his second ball of the morning and knocked out Vettori's middle stump with a no ball on the way to taking 2-62.
"He's a tough guy, he's got a big heart and I'm glad that he is in my side," the Sri Lankan captain said.