ICC meeting begins in Dubai

Dubai:

The ICC Cricket Committee-Playing, chaired by legendary Indian batsman Sunil Gavaskar, met today to discuss among other things the issue of illegal bowling action, brought into the spotlight by the recent developments involving Sri Lankan off spinner Muttiah Muralitharan. Gavaskar clarified the meeting would not only discuss the Muralitharan controversy but a host of other issues pertaining to the game. He, however, said the ICC may not necessarily reveal the outcome of the meeting. "ICC will decide today or tomorrow if at all to make a press statement regarding the outcome of discussions," he said. Apart from Gavaskar, the 12-member committee comprises several other retired Test players like Australian off spinner Tim May, England seamer Angus Fraser and former Sri Lankan batsman Aravinda de Silva. Plans for future technology trials, similar to the 2003 experiments in South Africa where umpires were given ear pieces linked to stump microphones to help them rule on edges and special white markings in line with the leg stump to assist in taking lbw decisions, are also on the agenda. ICC President Ehsan Mani, Chief Executive Malcolm Speed and General Manager David Richardson are also in Dubai for the meeting which might also explore the possibility of shifting the ICC headquarters to Dubai. (PTI)