Cup Notes

Fresh scrutiny of video footage of Muralitharan8217;s bowling action has not shown any evidence of throwing, The Sunday Times quoted ICC disciplinary committee member Sir Clyde Walcott as saying.

8220;Murali has been studied again since Adelaide and still there is no evidence that he is transgressing the law as it stands,8221; former ICC chairman Sir Clyde told the weekend paper.

Reacting to the news of ICC clearance, Sri Lankan skipper Arjuna Ranatunga said, 8220;as far as we are concerned Murali has always been clean. But the announcement that the panel still sees nothing wrong with his bowling action could not have come at a better time.8221;

Suspended ban

WORCESTER: Australian Shane Warne was handed a two-match suspended ban here onSaturday following an outburst against Sri Lankan captain Arjuna Ranatunga.

The source said the penalty, which would also see the player docked 50 per cent of his next match fee, would be officially announced later on Saturday.He normally earns around US 1,330 per game. Warne, writing in The Times newspaper on Friday to coincide with the first day of the World Cup, questioned Ranatunga8217;s sportsmanship, criticised his ability and argued the sport would be better off without him.

The ICC8217;s code of conduct states that players should not 8220;make any public pronouncement or media comment which is detrimental either to the game in general, or to a particular tour in which they are involved.8221;

Escape for Adam

LONDON: Former England one-day captain Adam Hollioake has escaped with a warning for making offensive gestures to spectators during a World Cup warm-up game against Essex at Chelmsford.

A number of spectators complained to Essex officials after Hollioake made three v-signs to a section of thecrowd who had booed him towards the end of England8217;s win a week ago. But the England Cricket Board have decided against similar punishment for Hollioake.