G'day, all...
Some reading matter for you today, but not from me.
Here is the text of a mail/reader column carried in The Daily News, of date.
Judging by the contents, Steve Waugh in his latest book has taken off on
Muthiah Muralitharan's action. Here goes, the full text, written by a George
Mendis:
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Play it straight Mr. Steve Waugh
Reference your remarks in the Book 'Never Satisfied' on Muralitharan
I am writing this personal, open letter to you in regard to the unfortunate
statements alleged to be made in your book 'Never Satisfied' in respect of
the legality of the bowling action of Muralitharan of Sri Lanka (Reference
SL Island paper of 13.11.2000_. It appears on the surface that a second
Darrel Hair strategy to create another situation in the cricket world is
being created and also envisaging a gain in some amount of publicity for
greater readership of the book is aimed at.
I wish to state that I know some amount on cricket as played by sportsmen,
having been involved in the game at School, University and Club levels and
is a cricket enthusiast and have seen the best of players inclusive of the
great Bradman, the gentleman cricketer par excellence, at play in Sri Lanka,
Australia and England. I rate Steve Waugh as one of the world's best batsmen
currently - I say in batsmanship as a player.
My kind request is for you to withdraw the said remarks in your book as they
are unfair, illegally worded by a great player cricketer like you - the
questionable wording is 'not cricket' and is inconsistent with the
cricketing regulations as accepted democratically and as a played by
gentlemen/sportsmen in the International circles under the auspices of the
International Cricket Council.
Instead of paying 100% reliance on an Umpire, with no test level playing
experience or high level participation in playing cricket and being misled
and only endorsing prejudicial remarks on a simple bowler recognised by the
world's best Cricketers and Critics, other than by Mr. S. Waugh, I request
for the sake of Legality/Justice/Fairplay and Sportsmanship to pay
consideration to the very critical and exhaustive scientific examination
made to the ICC panel that comprised highly qualified Internationally
reputed gentlemen with vast experience.
Let me quote extracts of the report: "A scientific analysis of the Sri
Lankan off-spinner's bowling style using the latest computer technology has
ended one of the hottest debates in cricket by proving once and for all that
his action is perfectly legal (LEGAL).... The results, which were presented
to delegates at the World Congress of Science and Medicine in Cricket at
Lilleshall in Shrophire and have also been passed on to the International
Cricket Council are so conclusive that they should put an end to any doubts
about the legality of his action."
Hence if you play ICC level cricket, remarks of the type made by you ('His
action is blatantly illegal. That as far as I (Mr. S. Waugh) is concerned
that if he breaks the world wicket-taking record, then the world record
means nothing." are unfair, 'not cricket' and unsportsmanly; it shows us a
certain amount of prejudice, animosity and jealousy. Probably Mr. Waugh
could manage any bowler, but not the deceptive great spin of a simpleton
from an outstation in a simple, small yet developing South Asian country.
Please play a straight bat, Mr. Steve Waugh. We will not be prejudiced or
led mistakenly by anyone ignorant and unfair in word and hasty deed in
cricket in-field and out and dare to stoop low to say that twin brothers are
partners in the same boat on casual remarks heard, when a Waugh twin had
committed a cricketing crime as grave as the Cronje affairs, although
treated very lightly by the ACB authorities. As this was done by your twin
partner/another teammate can I repeat your statement 'blatantly illegal. how
ludicrous it is?' because when Cronje is severely punished and expelled from
the cricket world and also some of the Pakistan and Indian senior players,
the Waugh twin etc. is playing safe; I have no doubt on your honesty at
play.
We have heard critical outspoken remarks on ICC level cricket by the best of
experienced test class sportsmen, like Tony Greig, Ian Chappel etc. -
straight and critical the remarks have been very fare, objective and
impartial and by no means blatantly illegal or ludicrous.' in criticism.
We also remember how Tony Greig showed Muralitharan's arm action on the TV
as clearly legal. Even the President of the Australian Cricket Society, a
University level authority on Sports Law and Cricket, had made very
objective remarks in the ACS Journal on Cricket standards in Sri Lanka. In
the name of gentlemanly cricket in field and out. George Mendis
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Intriguing, yes?
I know that there are quite a few subscribers to this diary living in
Australia -- can someone help, and find out what this is all about, and what
Waugh actually said?
I'll stop with that for today -- as you will see when you visit our site,
today's episode in the ongoing BCCI vs CBI investigation is a mammoth
affair, and involves a lot of research. So, for now, adios...
Prem
Mail Cricket Editor
