Viv Richards concerned by Ajmal's doosra

[Karan114]

Richards concerned by Ajmal's doosra Sahil Dutta May 24, 2011 Saeed Ajmal, the Pakistan offspinner, has had his bowling action called into question by Viv Richards. Ajmal was the Man of the Series for his 17 wickets in two Tests against West Indies, but concerns have been raised over the legality of his action. "Let me put it as mildly and as diplomatically as it can be put," Richards told ESPNcricinfo. "When you look at bowling actions for offspinners in the world at present, the [15 degree] rule made by the ICC has bred what we've seen this series. I wouldn't be blatant as some others, but the rules have helped the freaky stuff we have at present. It accommodates doosras and things we see like that." The decision to allow a bend in the arm up to 15 degrees was introduced after biomechanical experts found the majority of bowlers had a minor flex in their actions. It is felt, however, that some offspinners struggle to deliver the doosra within those limits. Richards is the latest to voice concern over Ajmal's action, with former fast-bowler Michael Holding and veteran West Indian journalist Tony Cozier having spoken out on the doosra during the course of the series. Though West Indies may feel uneasy about Ajmal, they also batted woefully against Pakistan's other spinners. During the 196-run defeat at St Kitts, 15 of the 20 wickets fell to spin, with Ajmal taking three in each innings. The batsmen were not much better in the first Test in Guyana, which West Indies won, losing all but three wickets to Pakistan's trio of spinners. "The problem is that whenever they [West Indies] are confronted by top-class spinners they freeze," Richards said. "It's creating a paranoia and someone needs to ask the batsmen what's needed. I think they need to prepare for the bowlers they are going to face better and watch them more regularly. [At the moment] they just go out and rely on guesswork." Despite the lost opportunity to win the series, Richards backed the management of the captain Darren Sammy and coach Ottis Gibson. Both had been under intense scrutiny after a poor World Cup and the shambles over Chris Gayle's exclusion and his decision to play in the IPL. Sammy answered many of his critics with a match haul of seven wickets to deliver victory in Guyana, and Richards felt that performance was crucial to his survival as captain. "What's been on peoples' minds is his contribution to the team as a player," Richards said. "The match in Guyana helped to eradicate some of that stuff. When he was first touted as captain I backed him because I thought he would bring a bit more thought to the role. "He said the right things about moving the team forward and I backed him to bring camaraderie and togetherness as a leader. Recently his lack of form was concerning people but he silenced that." His support of Gibson was more reserved but he was happy with the appointment of former opener Desmond Haynes as batting consultant for the series. "I don't doubt [Gibson's] ability as a coach but Ottis needed some help when he started. I felt he needed assistance, as they have done with Desmond Haynes leading on the batting side of things. Ottis can add something to the bowlers, who are in need of help." Viv Richards was speaking to ESPNcricinfo to promote Fire in Babylon which was released in UK cinemas last Friday but will be out on DVD on June 6. Sahil Dutta is an assistant editor at ESPNcricinfo http://www.espncricinfo.com/west-indies-v-pakistan-2011/content/current/story/516512.html

[vvvslaxman]

He is one of the most blatant chucker going around.

[Serani]

Yes I would agree he chucks his doosra, same with murali, Harbhajan and Botha. But I guess the rules say that its legal so they are allowed to do as they please.

[vvvslaxman]

Yes I would agree he chucks his doosra' date=' same with murali, Harbhajan and Botha. But I guess the rules say that its legal so they are allowed to do as they please.[/quote'] Among the bowlers you mentioned Ajmal is the worst. He is wearing full sleeves mainly to hide his prodigious bend.

[Serani]

Wheras Harbhajan and Botha wear full sleeves just because it looks fashionable? Thats the oldest trick in the book for chuckers.

[Sir_Afridi]

Why pick on Ajmal only when even more blatant chucker like Harbhajan is playing?? I dont mind ICC banning Ajmal only if they ban Harbhajan,Ashwin,Botha and wipe off Murali record as well.

[vvvslaxman]

Why pick on Ajmal only when even more blatant chucker like Harbhajan is playing?? I dont mind ICC banning Ajmal only if they ban Harbhajan' date=Ashwin,Botha and wipe off Murali record as well.

Unless you are blind you wouldn't say this. Ajmal is the worst off spinning chucker i have ever seen.

[Sir_Afridi]

Unless you are blind you wouldn't say this. Ajmal is the worst off spinning chucker i have ever seen.

This is your opinion. Any non Indian neutral fan would rate Harbhajan as most blatant chucker.

[Midfielder]

This is your opinion. Any non Indian neutral fan would rate Harbhajan as most blatant chucker.

Please dont use the word neutral. Viv Richards is neutral. You are a nation of serial chuckers and are proud of it.

[Cricket Tragic]

Please dont use the word neutral. Viv Richards is neutral. You are a nation of serial chuckers and are proud of it.

Viv is biased just like Holding. They are jealous of Pakistan and are trying to ruin their cricket.

[Sir_Afridi]

Please dont use the word neutral. Viv Richards is neutral. You are a nation of serial chuckers and are proud of it.

Richards is not neutral. His team lost to Pakistan by a huge margin due to Ajmal. He will obviously try to find excuses. Richards reminds me of Guru Greg who questioned Akhtar action after India lost by huge margin in Karachi. Why didnt Richards questioned Ajmal action when WI won 1st test??? :dontknow:

[Midfielder]

Viv is biased just like Holding. They are jealous of Pakistan and are trying to ruin their cricket.

Nobody is jealous of Pakistan, you know better.

[Midfielder]

Richards is not neutral. His team lost to Pakistan by a huge margin due to Ajmal. He will obviously try to find excuses. Richards reminds me of Guru Greg who questioned Akhtar action after India lost by huge margin in Karachi. Why didnt Richards questioned Ajmal action when WI won 1st test??? :dontknow:

Well read as you are his action was questioned in the last match also. Please dont distort facts.

[Sir_Afridi]

Well read as you are his action was questioned in the last match also. Please dont distort facts.

Post link of Viv Richards view on Ajmal after 1st test

[vvvslaxman]

Richards is not neutral. His team lost to Pakistan by a huge margin due to Ajmal. He will obviously try to find excuses. Richards reminds me of Guru Greg who questioned Akhtar action after India lost by huge margin in Karachi. Why didnt Richards questioned Ajmal action when WI won 1st test??? :dontknow:

And you are neutral? :facepalm: What did Pakistan do to us , to envy "AJmal". With Ajmal you lost both Asia cup and World cup match against us.

[TumTum]

This is your opinion. Any non Indian neutral fan would rate Harbhajan as most blatant chucker.

Ahh... no :hehe:

[Midfielder]

Post link of Viv Richards view on Ajmal after 1st test

Once again the number one in distorting facts. Ofcourse there is no link to Richards but others in WI establishment did it. Trust me they know more about bowling than you do. Do you still want me to post link.

[Midfielder]

Ajmal cannot break into any Indian team any format any day any place.

[Sir_Afridi]

The ICC has cleared the bowling action of Pakistan offspinner Saeed Ajmal. In a statement on Monday, it confirmed that Ajmal's action was found to be legal in an independent test conducted by Bruce Elliott, a member of the ICC Panel of Human Movement Specialists, and the player could, therefore, continue to bowl in international cricket.

http://www.espncricinfo.com/pakistan/content/story/405873.html

[Utalk]

In addition to my previous post legends like Holding and Viv hold valid opinions and key board warriors on msg boards should think twice before accusing them of being biased and racist. ICC let this cat out of bag when they cleared ppl like Akhtar Murali and Bhajji.Bent elbows whilst delivering a cricket ball is something many people are not comfortable with.