Is cricket's internal politics behind Saeed Ajmal ban?

Written by The Slinger.

The leading spinner in the world cricket at the moment - Pakistan's Saeed Ajmal was suspended from bowling in international matches after Test results proved his action to be illegal. Further reports revealed that he bowls his off-spinners with an average flux of 39 degrees against the allowed 15. 

While there are some widespread murmurs on the role of internal politics behind the ban just ahead of the World Cup 2015, here I've listed out the reasons how the same would have resulted in the ban.

A look-back at the past 

After the end of Asia cup in March 2012, 'Chucking Chakkravarthy' Saeed Ajmal questioned Sachin Tendulkar's ability to play 'doosra.' 

"If Sachin can't read doosra, then he is nearing his end." stated the offie and jokingly went on to say “he was compelled to quit ODI cricket" owing to weakness against the same. 

Ajmal has always been at the helm of the rankings table and his so called 'joke' definitely wouldn't have impressed the concerned men. Most think at 36, it’s END of the road for him just after 6 years of international cricket.

 

Success

     He is the leading wicket taker across all formats of the game for the past 3 years: 284 wickets in 121 matches at an average and strike rate of 22.72 and 42.2 respectively, followed by Dale Steyn. 

No Chucking

     ICC has 'suddenly' started to act on a rule it imposed almost 10 years ago (November 2004). The bowlers are only allowed to extend their elbows up to the 15 degree mark in their bowling action. 

It is understood that the ICC is keen on bringing down 'chucking' since this July after 'ICC cricket committee' took a firm stance on the same. 

Yet, I have a firm belief that politics has a role in all the recent bans, happening all of a sudden.

     Since July, Shane Shillingford, Sachithra Senanayake, Kane Williamson, Prosper Utseya and Al Amin-Hossain were the others apart from Ajmal to get caught in the trap. However, Ajmal claims his medical condition (an accident on right elbow) is causing him to bowl with straightened arm. ICC wants him to prove how it affects his bowling.

     I do accept the fact that Ajmal, Senanayake and few others who you (read we) don’t know 'chuck'. Not sure about Williamson though, but still here are the reason why I think Politics would have had a say in deciding Ajmal's fate.

Role of Politics (A look on it at a different angle)

1. Australia are to play Pakistan in UAE where it spins more than at Down Under and Ajmal is their only threat in that tour. Without him they can easily get back to number No.1 spot in the ICC Test Rankings. On a lesser note England plays Sri Lanka without Senanayake.
2. To win against Pakistan you have to do well against their bowling, their batting will do a self-destruct themselves and therefore, banning their frontline spinner might be the easier way to play it safe. 
3. All these reports on the bowling action comes from Australia (mostly) and England. People who got accused of them in the past are Muttiah Muralitharan, Harbhajan Singh, Johan Botha, Ajmal himself, Lasith Malinga and so on. (All are in their own way a threat to those two teams).
4. You always see mostly England and Australia cry on these issues such as ball management (tampering), chucking and 'Spirit of Cricket' to name a few.
5. Australia by sledging and on-field controversies and England who make the (controversial) rules themselves should never be made a judge here. See the bio-mechanics testing centers (approved by ICC) are only in Brisbane and Cardiff (again Australia & England).
6. When Ajmal was reported in 2009 during an ODI against Australia, he accused Shane Watson for having a chat with the umpires regarding his bowling before the umpires reported his action. Even though he had a right to question the action, is it a right way to take up the issue in the middle of a match? Shouldn't it be left to the men in-charge of the proceedings in the middle?
7. This controversial 15 degree rule was set up in 2004. For your information, the great Glenn McGrath had hyper-mobility (body joints move beyond normal range) problem which was around 15, So was the angle limit based on to comfort him? Remember it was CA and ECB who were in helm to set up rules, not N.Srinivasan/BCCI around 2004. (Muttiah Muralitharan have to be an eye wash here)
8. Martin Crowe the former New Zealand captain and a renowned writer, in an interview went on to say ICC slammed the door at him when he submitted his video evidence of many bowlers 'chucking' back in 2007. Why acting vigilant now and not then? Have a World Cup to win eh..??

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