In the recently concluded, second Test series between Sri Lanka and India some unhappy remarks were made by Noujot Singh Sidu and Ravi Shastri, when TV commentator Tony Greig asked Sidu about the scintillating knock of 67 runs by Muralitharen, what Sidu said because Indian bowlers bowled badly, he became a hero, when the cream of S/L batsmen failed to the same seam bowlers, how is that Murali tore them apart, the explanation given by Sidu is not appropriate.

Last time Sidu said Murali is making a mockery of batting. Did he do that this time, no, he did not go away from the stumps exposing the wicket, all the shots he played on this occasion were correct. His back foot, front foot, cover slash, pull he was a batsmen in the, no, four slot, for his college St. Anthony’s Kandy. This has happened to all the bowlers in the world in many instances, in the game of cricket a batsman coming at No. 8 or 9 making a fifty or more Murali has hit sixes and fours, to many al fast bowlers in the calibre of Wasim Akram, Ambrose, McGrath etc.

Medical reports have shown that he has a deformity in his bowling arm that what he is not comfortable with his bottom hand and upper hand while holding the bat. TV commentators should refrain from criticism and prejudice, there is a man in the center called umpire his word is law, instead of TV commentator disputing the decision.

If a batsmen is given LBW after seeing there play several times, the TV commentator says, the ball is not pitched along the line of leg stump and it would have not hit the leg stump either (or the off stump). It is fair enough the umpire has to give a decision in split second, a run out too, before the third umpire gives a decision. The TV commentator says its out or not out.

TV is meant to see it lively for those who are far away or in another country. TV commentators are there to give ball by ball commentary, not to dispute the decision of the umpire, If so its a mockery by the TV commentators.
M. D. K. Peter
Bandarawela.