Novel way to spot chucking

New Delhi    FRIDAY January 12  1996

Novel way to spot chucking

COLOMBO, Jan 11: Sri Lanka has called up a Hong Kong-based professor and his electrical wizadry to decide once and for all whether off-spinner Muttiah Muralitharan chucks or bowls, a former first-class umpire said today.

Electrodes will be attached to the bowler's elbow and transmit three-dimensional "pictures" of the arm angle during delivery, former Sri Lankan umpire Ajith Perera said.

"Then we can resolve the matter scientifically," said Perera, who lobbied to clear Sri Lanka's name on a charge of ball tampering during the first Test against Australia n Perth.

Sri Lanka were later exonerated by the International Cricket Council (ICC).

Dr. Ravi Goonetilleke, a Sri Lankan professor based in Hong Kong, would be able to download the "pictures" into a portable computer and state categorically whether there is any straightening of the arm just prior to the moment of release, illegal in cricket.