Australia’s questioning of Murali’s bowling action unjustified: Sangakkara

BRISBANE - Sri Lankan cricket captain Kumar Sangakkara has said that questioning off-spinner Muttiah Muralitharan’s bowling action is “unjustified.”

Speaking ahead of Friday’s one-day game against Queensland, the Sydney Morning Herald quoted Sangakkara, as saying: “I think it (questioning of his bowling) has always been unjustified if Murali has not been well received in any country.”

Sangakkara said for a man who has scalped 515 one-day international wickets, expressing doubts about his bowling action was unfair.

“Just for the bowler he is, the fellow he is, the character he is. He’s a wonderful human being, he’s a wonderful cricketer,” Sangakkara said.

Sri Lanka will play three one-day internationals on what is shaping as Muralitharan’s farewell Australian tour.

“The things he’s achieved, I think it’s a joy to see him play and for us to have him in our side is a huge boost to us. However the fans react or whether they accept him or not, I don’t really think it matters to him in the long run because the entire cricketing world and fraternity love him for who he is and I think he’s very secure in that,” Sangakkara added.

Muralitharan’s career has been dogged by chucking allegations because of his highly unusual bowling action.

The off-spinner was no balled for chucking in 1995 and 1999 in Australia and taunted by crowds.

Labelled by then-Prime Minister John Howard as a “chucker” in 2004, Muralitharan refused to join the touring party to Australia that year citing personal reasons.

Australia will host a Twenty20 International against Sri Lanka in Perth on October 31 followed by ODIs in Melbourne, Sydney and Brisbane on November 3, 5 and 7. (ANI)