OTD | Umpire Darrell Hair called Muthiah Muralitharan for ‘chucking’ 7 times during the MCG Test in 1995 

Muthiah Muralitharan was one of the best bowlers in the world, claiming around 800 wickets in Tests, 534 in ODIs, and 13 in T20Is. However, during the Boxing Day Test match in 1995, umpire Darrell Hair called him for throwing seven times at the Melbourne Cricket Ground, MCG. 

The matter then reached the captain, Arjuna Ranatunga, who spoke to the umpire, and Muralitharan was allowed to complete his over. This was a controversial decision given by the umpire, who also made a statement saying, ‘You are throwing. In my mind, it is a no-ball.’ 

Muralitharan disclosed his conversation with the umpire and how things went forward from there on. “On the first day of the Test, we lost the toss and were bowling. The first two balls, he didn’t say anything. The third ball he said no ball, so I thought I had overstepped. I didn’t ask anything either. The next ball also, he gave a no-ball.

As spinners, we don’t bowl no-balls at all. I went and asked him if I went over, and he said no. He said, ‘You are throwing. In my mind, it is a no-ball’. I was shocked, I had no words. I went straight to Arjuna (Ranatunga) and told him that he was saying I’m throwing and you should clarify this with him,” said Muralitharan. 

In the first innings, Australia scored 500 runs, thanks to David Boon’s 110 runs and Steve Waugh’s 131 runs. On the other hand, Sri Lanka could only score 233 runs. Glenn McGrath finished off the batting order quickly and forced a follow-on on the visitors. 

Asanka Gurusinha scored 143 runs in the second innings, helping Sri Lanka take a lead of just 40 runs. Australia had to chase a target of 41 runs and they won the game by 10 wickets. Glenn McGrath was given the Player of the Match award for his brilliant performance in both innings.