International players point finger at the throwers

Most of the world's leading players believe that throwing is rife in the inter-national game. That is the most startling revelation in a survey conducted among 10 teams at the Champions' Trophy last month which betrays growing unrest and disenchantment.

The "T" word itself was not used in the poll, perhaps because it is as taboo in cricket as women used to be at the MCC. But the bald fact is that 75 per cent of players either strongly agreed (38 per cent) or agreed (37 per cent) with the statement: "Doubtful bowling actions are a big problem in international cricket".

Only seven per cent disagreed or strongly disagreed. But 45 per cent felt that those whose actions were reported should not continue playing until a final decision on legality had been reached.

The finding is hidden unceremoniously in the middle of the survey, which featured 98 questions. But it reveals that the players are distinctly uncomfortable with the present attitude towards potentially dodgy actions. High-profile bowlers like Muttiah Muralitharan and Shoaib Akhtar have had their actions officially cleared over time, but there have been scarcely concealed whispers about occasional possible trangressions by many others, from Brett Lee to Darren Gough.

The survey was organised by the Federation of International Cricket Associations, whose officials used the Champions' Trophy in Colombo as an opportunity to address all the world's players in one place. Every player in every team (a total of 140) attended a world player meeting and most of them responded to the questionnaire.

A spokesman for the International Cricket Council said: "We haven't officially received a copy of this survey so it is difficult to make a comment. But we don't think that illegal actions are an endemic problem in the game. If the players are that concerned there is the opportunity for them through the team captains to express those concerns."

The present procedure allows for a player to be reported by either the umpires or the match referee, though the onus is now on umpires. There then ensues a three-stage process over 12 months which can conclude with a 12-month ban by the ICC's Bowling Review Group. Most players felt the group should be involved immediately.

Few were satisfied with the ICC's role in the game, with 63 per cent feeling the body failed to balance the interests of the game with those of the players. Individual governing bodies got off more lightly.

There was a strain of selfishness in the survey. Sixty-four per cent said there was too much international cricket and 78 per cent that players should have a compulsory annual leave period. Almost nobody went along with the proposition that one-day cricket was becoming too boring, whereas 90 per cent said it had improved over the past five years. Seventy-two per cent felt Test cricket had improved.

Players were not generally happy about their rewards in the Champions' Trophy – 68 per cent did not think the player terms were reasonable – although it had international cricket's biggest prize fund.

They seem to be divided on the extension of technology in making decisions, with 41 per cent saying more should be used but 44 per cent saying use of the third umpire slows the game too much.

There were clear winners in the "players' player" sections. Sachin Tendulkar (75 per cent and 51 per cent) and Glenn McGrath (70 per cent and 46 per cent) were voted, respectively, both best Test and one-day bowlers. Jonty Rhodes (75 per cent) was adjudged best fielder. Wicketkeepers were overlooked.

The best umpire is Rudi Koertzen of South Africa (28 per cent), slightly ahead of David Shepherd of England (25 per cent). Intriguingly, Peter Willey of England is in fourth place although he is not on the élite panel.

The ICC are being fairly sniffy about the survey, because their board refused to recognise Fica last month. But they will have noted that 87 per cent of the players believe players should have a greater say in the running of the game.