COLOMBO, May 16: Sri Lankan Prime Minister Mahindra Rajapakse is all set to sue the International Cricket Council (ICC) over its decision to outlaw spin wizard Muttiah Muralitharan's controversial 'doosra' delivery.
Rajapakse said in a statement on Sunday that he would defend the off-spinner even though Sri Lanka Cricket had asked the bowler to cut out the away-going delivery from his armoury.
"The Prime Minister has decided to take legal steps against the ICC for banning (Muralitharan's) doosra," a statement from his office said. "The Prime Minister is already in consultation with a team of lawyers."
Rajapakse said that Muralitharan was a national asset and he would do everything within his power and that of the government to defend the bowler. Muralitharan, whose unorthodox action has seen him being no-balled for 'throwing' in the past, came under fresh scrutiny because of the 'doosra' and was told last week that if he persists with it he could face a year-long ban.
Meanwhile, Australian prime minister John Howard on Sunday backed away from the furore he ignited by calling Muralitharan a chucker.
Howard, who bought into the sporting debate last week at a meeting of his Liberal party faithful on the New South Wales south coast, had nothing further to say after his comments set off a storm of indignation in Sri Lanka.
Muralitharan has subsequently threatened to boycott Sri Lanka's two-Test tour to Australia in June and July because of Howard's remarks. A spokesman for the prime minister, who is an avid cricket fan, said in Sydney on Sunday that Howard had no further comment to make on the matter. -AFP
