The Don Bradman of bowling

But where the Don was acknowledged as the absolute monarch of batsmanship, Muralitharan, right through his 18-year international career has had questions raised about the legality of his bowling action. He's had a particularly harrowing time in the Don's country Australia, where from Prime Minister to umpires to players to commentators to spectators have accused him of being a chucker.

Ironically, it was in Australia that much research was done on both his bowling action and the quantum of elbow flex permitted and these ultimately certified his bowling as legally acceptable. But even this has not been sufficient to dispel doubts and stifle voices of dissent.