Sri Lanka coach Tom Moody has dismissed any notion that Lasith Malinga's action is not legal, saying it is "ridiculous" to suggest he throws the ball.
The Australian - who is due to leave his post with Sri Lanka at the end of the tournament - feels the paceman may even have the straightest arm in international cricket and has challenged any doubters to test it out.
The 23-year-old has been nicknamed 'The Slinger' for his round-arm delivery style that he developed when playing beach cricket with a soft ball.
After a spell out with an ankle injury, Malinga will be back in Sri Lanka's side for the World Cup semi-final with New Zealand on Tuesday, which is live on Sky Sports.
"He is so far from being someone who throws the ball it is ridiculous," Moody told Sky Sports.
"Bowling from the position he bowls from, it is virtually impossible to flex the elbow.
"In terms of most fast bowlers in the world I think he would have the least amount of flexion.
"We welcome anyone to analyse it. I'd be interested to see if he has one percent flexion, let alone the 15 that is allowed."
Rather than coach him to bowl in a more traditional fashion, Moody has let Malinga stick with his unique style, a policy that has helped him become one of the most feared bowlers at this year's tournament.
Before his spell on the sidelines he had claimed 15 wickets in six matches, including a hat-trick against South Africa.
"No, definitely not," Moody said when asked if he'd tried to change Malinga's action.
"We have monitored it basically. He was brought up doing that on the beaches.
"If we suddenly went to the MCC coaching manual and tried to get him over the top and side on, he'd be playing third grade in some competition in Sri Lanka and not being an impact bowler in international cricket."
The Australian - who is due to leave his post with Sri Lanka at the end of the tournament - feels the paceman may even have the straightest arm in international cricket and has challenged any doubters to test it out.
The 23-year-old has been nicknamed 'The Slinger' for his round-arm delivery style that he developed when playing beach cricket with a soft ball.
After a spell out with an ankle injury, Malinga will be back in Sri Lanka's side for the World Cup semi-final with New Zealand on Tuesday, which is live on Sky Sports.
"He is so far from being someone who throws the ball it is ridiculous," Moody told Sky Sports.
"Bowling from the position he bowls from, it is virtually impossible to flex the elbow.
"In terms of most fast bowlers in the world I think he would have the least amount of flexion.
"We welcome anyone to analyse it. I'd be interested to see if he has one percent flexion, let alone the 15 that is allowed."
Rather than coach him to bowl in a more traditional fashion, Moody has let Malinga stick with his unique style, a policy that has helped him become one of the most feared bowlers at this year's tournament.
Before his spell on the sidelines he had claimed 15 wickets in six matches, including a hat-trick against South Africa.
"No, definitely not," Moody said when asked if he'd tried to change Malinga's action.
"We have monitored it basically. He was brought up doing that on the beaches.
"If we suddenly went to the MCC coaching manual and tried to get him over the top and side on, he'd be playing third grade in some competition in Sri Lanka and not being an impact bowler in international cricket."
