The Hindu : Sport / Cricket : Woolmer hits back at Chappell

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Friday, Feb 03, 2006

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Sport - Cricket

Woolmer hits back at Chappell

Lahore: Pakistan coach Bob Woolmer has joined the war of words with his India counterpart Greg Chappell after the latter's observation that there was something seriously `different' with speedster Shoaib Akhtar's action.

Chappell told the media that Akhtar's action was very difficult to pick up and he demanded the tearaway pacer should be tested again.

Annoyed

Irked by Chappell's remark, Woolmer told BBC Sport, ``The International Cricket Council has a report circulating which says he is not to be questioned again.''

Winning his first battle with the Aussie after Pakistan won the three-match series in Karachi on Wednesday, Woolmer said, ``To bring it up during a Test match and blast it all over the papers is disappointing and hard on the player.''

Akhtar, who took three wickets in the deciding final match on Wednesday, was suspended in 1999 for a suspect action before being cleared when it was found that his elbow is built with extra flex resulting in ``hyperextension.''

An adamant Chappell, however, refused to buy the argument and insisted it could not be attributed to deformity.

Bio-mechanics expert Bruce Elliott, who supervised Shoaib's remedial measures, however, sided with the pacer and said re-examining won't serve any purpose for Shoaib Akhtar has already been tested and cleared.

Woolmer, also seemed impressed by the pacer's ability to bounce back despite controversies and said, ``It's tough on him but I thought he responded magnificently.''

PCB unhappy

Chappell's remarks also incurred the wrath of the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) which is examining the veracity of whether he actually made those remarks. According to a board official, PCB has already written to the Match Referee Ranjan Madugalle, besides seeking a clarification from Team India.

Meanwhile, an irate Akhtar has threatened legal action against people trying to tarnish his name with chucking allegations. — UNI

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