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I won’t pretend to be a late 30s version of Rory McIlroy but I can play golf to a decent enough standard.
On my day, if I’m hitting the longer of the irons well and putting like someone with something resembling a good touch, then my scores are more than acceptable. But if the opposite is true of the former then the opposite is true of the latter.
When my swing’s a bit quick or out of sync, or if I’m searching for extra distance then I have a tendency to pull the ball sharply to the left, the opposite of a fade, which is the general shape of shot.
The point is, without any intent, the hook will always be part of my game unless remedial action can see it eradicated.
And this is where all of the above relates to the sport that is supposed to be covered.
The reporting of Pakistan spinner Saeed Ajmal for an illegal action – umpires Ian Gould and Bruce Oxenford reported him after the first Test against Sri Lanka in Galle recently – would hardly have caused a major surprise.
Perhaps among those who utilise the most blinkered of blinkers, but not among those who have viewed Ajmal in action, either in person or on TV.
It doesn’t take a particularly cynical mind to form the conclusion that Ajmal’s action has a definite kink and, at times, one that is more than pronounced. There is nothing wrong with that, after all the regulations were altered not so long ago to allow 15 degrees of flex in the bowling arm, moving away from the former law that outlawed any kind of straightening.
Yet I for one have seen enough first-hand and photographic evidence to suggest that every now and then, Ajmal goes beyond what is allowed and into the realms of ‘hang on a minute’.
That he can bowl such a prolifically excellent doosra, or one that spins the other way, a delivery that is nigh on impossible to bowl with a straight arm due to the lack of leverage that needs to be imparted, could have something to do with it.
His ability to bowl a substantially quicker ball, seemingly out of nowhere and with no discernible change in action, may also be a contributory factor.
It could be completely unwitting but when that extra degree – no pun intended – of effort is required, the kink is exaggerated and the suspicion heightens.
I’m sure Ajmal, within the laws as they stand, operates on the right side for the majority of the the time, but if there is no cause for a second look then I’ve obviously been watching the wrong game.
What had been apparent, and is now official, is that a definitive opinion needs to be gathered to clear Ajmal (he was cleared by the ICC in 2009), or do the opposite, once and for all.
There have to be laws for any sport, otherwise where is the line drawn?
So those suggesting that Ajmal be allowed to go unchecked because what he does adds necessary variety to the game and that he’s only a spinner, not a seamer who could knock a batsman’s head off, are talking drivel. If he exceeds the 15 degrees then he shouldn’t be playing international cricket.
Just like my unwanted hook, the exception to the rule is doing Ajmal harm and the sooner it’s got rid of, for his sake more than anything else, the better.