Saeed Ajmal is the best spinner in the world, says Muralitharan

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Along with the various records he has collected over the last season Saeed Ajmal has also had to endure harsh criticism over his questionable bowling action.

However the Pakistani has found support from none other than world record holder Muttiah Muralitharan. The Sri Lankan sprang to Ajmal’s defence in an exclusive chat with DC.

“I don’t see anything wrong with his action. There should be no problem as long as the umpires don’t call him on the field or the batsmen object. If there is any correction to be done I am sure Ajmal will do it,” said Murali who had to go through massive amounts of stress before proving his own bowling action as legal.

“When I went through the bio-mechanics test in Australia the rules were completely different. My arm bend was less than 10 degrees and the men who mattered then failed to believe.

I was accused of bowling differently under the video. Only when I proved again in a match situation was I given a clean chit. It’s all about muscle memory. Relaxation in the laws came into effect after that and it was agreed that a flex of up to 15 degrees was normal,” explained Murali.

Ajmal did not help his cause recently in claiming that he was given extra allowance by the ICC. Pundits will continue to sit on either side of the fence on this subject but Murali seems to have the solution.

“What has to be seen and checked is the elbow at point of release. It’s the arm movement that counts. If one has to be too strict then most bowlers chuck,” noted the owner of 1,334 international wickets.
Controversies aside, Murali is happy not only for Ajmal but for the art of off-spin getting revived in a big way.

There is healthy competition and at least four countries can boast of a quality offies in their Test line up. “To me Ajmal is the best spinner in the world, better than Graeme Swann as he has more variations up his sleeve and bowls with greater control. Swann, on the other hand, is extremely consistent but Ajmal does hold the edge.”

Murali also had words of encouragement for R. Ashwin. “Ashwin is an extremely talented bowler. If he can work on his fitness and keep concentrating he should have a long and successful career. Nathan Lyon also looks a classical off-spinner with a steady loop,” said Murali.

For both Lyon and Ashwin the recently concluded Test series did not prove very successful but Murali noted that there is nothing to worry for the two young spinners. “Australia is not the easiest place for an off-spinner to operate.

The atmospheric conditions, the nature of wickets and other factors make it really tough. I am sure both Lyon and Ashwin will get better with experience and what they have learnt out of this series is important,” said Murali.

Slow bowlers over the years have done better when they are part of a better bowling unit and it has helped them if pacers in the side get their job done.

“One must not forget that success has eluded Sri Lanka (in Tests) mainly because they are missing Chaminda Vaas as well. Look what happened to Australia after Shane Warne and Glen McGrath retired. It is never easy to replace strike bowlers,” the legend concluded.

Murali’s point on Ashwin could be bang on as the offie was on most occasions reduced to the role of a restrictive bowler in Australia whereas Lyon could experiment a lot more with the pacers striking early and having the runs on the board to back him up.

Umar Gul and James Anderson have played their part in the success of Ajmal and Swann respectively. Spinners will be a bigger bet if the bowling unit clicks cohesively.