Editing Muttiah Muralitharan (section)

===Critics and converts===
Two vocal critics of Muralitharan's action have been former test cricketers, Australian [[Dean Jones (cricketer)|Dean Jones]] and [[Bishan Bedi]], the former Indian captain. Dean Jones later admitted<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wrFK4uS6VPc | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150904004226/https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wrFK4uS6VPc&feature=player_embedded| archive-date=2015-09-04 | url-status=dead|title=YouTube |via=YouTube |access-date=8 August 2014}}</ref> to being wrong in his assessment of Murali when he witnessed first hand Murali bowling with an arm-brace on.

[[Michael Holding]], the former West Indian fast bowler was also a critic of Muralitharan, but withdrew his criticisms under the light of the tests carried out. Holding had been quoted<ref name="Holding 100%">{{Cite news |date=8 March 2002 |title=After Bedi, Holding doubts Murali's action |url=http://www.tribuneindia.com/2002/20020309/sports.htm#5 |agency=Reuters |work=The Tribune (Chandigarh, India) |access-date=15 January 2008 |archive-date=17 November 2007 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20071117034455/http://www.tribuneindia.com/2002/20020309/sports.htm#5 |url-status=live }}</ref> as being in "110% agreement" with Bedi, who likened Murali's action to a "javelin throw"<ref>{{Cite news |date=7 June 2004 |title=Murali threatens to sue Bedi |url=http://www.cricinfo.com/india/content/story/139300.html |publisher=ESPNcricinfo |access-date=15 January 2008 |archive-date=10 August 2010 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100810114605/http://www.cricinfo.com/india/content/story/139300.html |url-status=live }}</ref> and more recently, compared to a "shot putter".<ref>{{Cite news |date=14 August 2007 |title=Murali considers legal action after Bedi jibe |url=http://content-uk.cricinfo.com/srilanka/content/current/story/306935.html |publisher=ESPNcricinfo |access-date=15 January 2008 |archive-date=29 December 2007 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20071229153759/http://content-uk.cricinfo.com/srilanka/content/current/story/306935.html |url-status=live }}</ref> Following the ICC study, as a member of the panel that conducted the study, Holding stated, "The scientific evidence is overwhelming&nbsp;... When bowlers who to the naked eye look to have pure actions are thoroughly analysed with the sophisticated technology now in place, they are likely to be shown as straightening their arm by 11 and in some cases 12 degrees. Under a strict interpretation of the Law, these players are breaking the rules. The game needs to deal with this reality and make its judgment as to how it accommodates this fact."<ref>[http://cricket-online.org/news.php?sid=4327 Cricket-Online: Murali's doosra given green light<!-- Bot generated title -->] {{webarchive |url=https://web.archive.org/web/20041113043836/http://cricket-online.org/news.php?sid=4327 |date=13 November 2004 }}</ref>

In May 2002, [[Adam Gilchrist]], speaking at a Carlton (Australian) Football Club luncheon, claimed Muralitharan's action does not comply with the laws of cricket. The Melbourne-based Age newspaper quoted Gilchrist as saying."Yeah, I think he does (chuck), and I say that because, if you read the laws of the game, there's no doubt in my mind that he and many others, throughout cricket history have."<ref>{{Cite news |date=26 April 2007 |title=Gilchrist queries Murali's action |url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport2/hi/cricket/2009427.stm |work=BBC Sport |location=London |access-date=27 February 2008 |archive-date=19 April 2012 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120419085106/http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport2/hi/cricket/2009427.stm |url-status=live }}</ref> These comments were made before the doosra controversy, in spite of Muralitharan's action having been cleared by ICC in both 1996 and 1999. For his comment Gilchrist was reprimanded by the [[Australian Cricket Board]] (ACB) and found guilty of being in breach of ACB rules concerned with "detrimental public comment".<ref>{{cite news
| url = http://content-usa.cricinfo.com/australia/content/story/120116.html
| title = Adam Gilchrist reprimanded by ACB Code of Behaviour Commission
| author = ACB
| publisher = ESPNcricinfo
| access-date = 29 February 2008
| date = 30 May 2002
| archive-date = 17 October 2007
| archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20071017174953/http://content-usa.cricinfo.com/australia/content/story/120116.html
| url-status = live
}}</ref>

During the 2006 tour of New Zealand another Muralitharan critic, former New Zealand captain and cricket commentator [[Martin Crowe]], called for Muralitharan's doosra to be monitored more closely, asserting that his action seemed to deteriorate during a match.<ref>{{Cite news |date=21 December 2006 |title=Crowe calls for Murali action review |url=http://content-uk.cricinfo.com/srilanka/content/story/273536.html |publisher=ESPNcricinfo |access-date=15 January 2008 |archive-date=8 July 2012 |archive-url=https://archive.today/20120708032030/http://content-uk.cricinfo.com/srilanka/content/story/273536.html |url-status=live }}</ref> Earlier that year when delivering the Cowdrey lecture at Lords [[Martin Crowe]] had demanded zero tolerance instead of 15 degrees for throwing and specifically branded Muttiah Muralitharan a chucker.<ref>{{Cite news |last=Selvey |first=Mike |date=13 July 2006 |title=Crowe flies off course to tamper with the spirit of the game |url=http://sport.guardian.co.uk/cricket/comment/0,,1819091,00.html |work=Independent |location=London |access-date=1 March 2008 |archive-date=16 May 2008 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080516121238/http://sport.guardian.co.uk/cricket/comment/0,,1819091,00.html |url-status=live }}</ref><ref>{{Cite news |last=Brenkley |first=Stephen |date=16 July 2006 |title=Crowe derides ICC's bent arm of the law |url=https://www.independent.co.uk/sport/cricket/crowe-derides-icc-s-bent-arm-of-the-law-6095295.html |work=The Independent |access-date=19 March 2024 |archive-date=19 March 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240319121735/https://www.independent.co.uk/sport/cricket/crowe-derides-icc-s-bent-arm-of-the-law-6095295.html |url-status=live }}</ref> In response to Crowe's criticism ICC general manager [[Dave Richardson (South African cricketer)|Dave Richardson]] stated that the scientific evidence presented by biomechanists Professor Bruce Elliot, Dr Paul Hurrion and Mr Marc Portuswith was overwhelming and clarified that "Some bowlers, even those not suspected of having flawed actions, were found likely to be straightening their arms by 11 or 12 degrees. And at the same time, some bowlers that may appear to be throwing may be hyper-extending or bowl with permanently bent elbows. Under a strict interpretation of the law, they were breaking the rules – but if we ruled out every bowler that did that then there would be no bowlers left."<ref>{{Cite news |date=13 July 2006 |title=ICC defends 'chucking' procedures |url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/solpda/ukfs_sport/hi/newsid_5177000/5177750.stm |work=BBC Sport |access-date=1 March 2008 |archive-date=23 September 2008 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080923220645/http://news.bbc.co.uk/solpda/ukfs_sport/hi/newsid_5177000/5177750.stm |url-status=dead }}</ref>