Tuesday, May 08, 2007
Melbourne: The contention that Adam Gilchrist's use of a squash ball inside his batting glove in the World Cup final was "unethical" has not found much support in Sri Lankan cricket circles, including ace spinner Mutthiah Muralitharan.
Gilchrist, whose record-breaking 149 led Australia to their fourth title, said later that he had a squash ball in one of his gloves to give him a better grip, prompting Sri Lanka Cricket secretary Kangadaran Mathivanan to describe the ploy as contrary to the spirit of cricket.
Mathivanan had compared it to Trevor Chappell's infamous underarm delivery in 1981.
"When Trevor and Greg (Chappell) decided to bowl underarm, it was allowed then, but later the ICC changed the law for One-Day cricket. It is the same here. It is against the spirit of the game. I think it should be looked at."
Mathivanan insisted several players had told him "they were a bit upset" over the use of the squash ball.
However, spin wizard Muttiah Muralitharan distanced himself from the comments.
"That is (Mathivanan's) personal opinion. The team doesn't think that," he told Herald newspaper.
"If anything, I would think having a squash ball in your glove would be uncomfortable. I don't know if I could even hold a bat with something like that in my glove. So if (Gilchrist wants to do it), it is OK with me."
Mathivanan also received little support from SLC chief executive Duleep Mendis.
When asked if he supported his secretary, Mendis said: "You must call him about that."
Melbourne: The contention that Adam Gilchrist's use of a squash ball inside his batting glove in the World Cup final was "unethical" has not found much support in Sri Lankan cricket circles, including ace spinner Mutthiah Muralitharan.
Gilchrist, whose record-breaking 149 led Australia to their fourth title, said later that he had a squash ball in one of his gloves to give him a better grip, prompting Sri Lanka Cricket secretary Kangadaran Mathivanan to describe the ploy as contrary to the spirit of cricket.
Mathivanan had compared it to Trevor Chappell's infamous underarm delivery in 1981.
"When Trevor and Greg (Chappell) decided to bowl underarm, it was allowed then, but later the ICC changed the law for One-Day cricket. It is the same here. It is against the spirit of the game. I think it should be looked at."
Mathivanan insisted several players had told him "they were a bit upset" over the use of the squash ball.
However, spin wizard Muttiah Muralitharan distanced himself from the comments.
"That is (Mathivanan's) personal opinion. The team doesn't think that," he told Herald newspaper.
"If anything, I would think having a squash ball in your glove would be uncomfortable. I don't know if I could even hold a bat with something like that in my glove. So if (Gilchrist wants to do it), it is OK with me."
Mathivanan also received little support from SLC chief executive Duleep Mendis.
When asked if he supported his secretary, Mendis said: "You must call him about that."
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