Muralitharan believes Lyon could get more wickets with the unorthodox delivery in his arsenal
Legendary Sri Lanka spinner Muttiah Muralitharan has labelled Australia’s chairman of selectors John Inverarity as “narrow-minded” for his views and comments that the doosra is not a delivery that can be bowled legally.
Prior to the start of Australia’s three-Test home series against Sri Lanka, Muralitharan had offered to teach Australian off-spinner Nathan Lyon how to bowl the unorthodox delivery without having any sort of suspicious action.
Responding to Muralitharan’s criticisms, Inverarity noted that he had no problems with the delivery, just so long as it could be kept within the International Cricket Council’s (ICC) bowling laws.
“If he (Inverarity) thinks that … anyone who says you can’t bowl the doosra legally is narrow-minded,” News.com.au quoted Muralitharan as saying. “If Australia feels that way, they will never be able to bowl it.
“Why is it possible that bowlers in India, Sri Lanka, Pakistan and Bangladesh can bowl the doosra? Why can’t the Australian bowlers do it? There are a few ways of bowling the doosra to send it the other way.”
Muralitharan stated that Lyon had every possibility to add the doosra to his arsenal and keep it as a surprise delivery, which could potentially see his wicket tally rise at a quicker rate.
“Nathan Lyon could bowl it,” Muralitharan added. “If he learned to bowl the ball the other way, he would be more attacking and he will get more wickets. Who can say that it can’t be done if they haven’t tried it? In this world, if you work hard and train hard you can achieve things. If you have that mindset that it can’t be done, well bad luck.”
Speaking about the doosra and the idea of teaching it to the Australian spinners, Inverarity said: “It’s a serious issue. I’m all for them (Australian spinners) learning it, but it’s got to be within the rules. I think the integrity of the game and the integrity of our Australian cricket heritage is important.
“I’d love to see someone bowling differently, but we’d scrutinise them to make sure they’re bowling properly.”