Muralitharan's 'doosra' delivery is being analysed

The Sri Lankan's 'doosra' delivery is under scrutiny after he was reported during the series with Australia.

If he is reported again in 2004 the International Cricket Council will convene its own Bowling Review Group.

The ICC also confirmed it would not relax the five-degree 'level of tolerance' for a spin bolwer's arm.

The University of Western Australia has analysed Muralitharan's action on behalf of Sri Lanka Cricket, who were obliged to act after he was reported by Chris Broad in the third Test.

The ICC's procedure for dealing with suspect actions allow SLC a period of six weeks to address any flaws.

At this stage, any decision or action arising from the investigation is the responsibility of SLC.

The ICC will only act should Muralitharan be reported again, and it would then have the power to suspend him.

It was speculated in some quarters the ICC would increase a spin bowler's level of tolerance - the extent to which he can straighten his arm - from five degrees to the paceman's amount of 10.

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But ICC chief executive Malcolm Speed ruled the possibility out.

"The current levels of tolerance reflect the reality that most bowlers straighten their arm to some degree when bowling," said Speed.

"As recently as last September at its meeting of Board Chief Executives in India, the ICC reviewed these levels and all countries were in agreement that the current standards should remain in place.

"It is these levels which will continue to be applied in relation to any bowlers reported with a potentially flawed action.

"There has been some media speculation that because the ICC will be conducting further research into the actions of spinners, the current levels of tolerance should not be applied in this case.

"This suggestion lacks common sense.