 Ponting is after stability in cricket |
Senior Australian cricket figures have criticised moves by the International Cricket Council to relax chucking laws.
An ICC committee has recommended that bowlers be allowed a 15-degree flexing of the arm, which could benefit Sri Lanka off-spinner Muttiah Muralitharan.
"It seems like they are playing around and changing these rules all the time," said Australia skipper Ricky Ponting.
"What that says to me as well is that Murali will be able to bowl his doosra delivery again."
Shane Warne - Muralitharan's chief rival for the title of leading wicket taker in history - said the decision could cause "confusion", but avoided saying the Sri Lankan spinner would specifically profit.
But others were stunned by the ICC's recommendation.
"I just think we've just opened a huge can of worms and it's something we might pay the price for later on," said Warne's coach Terry Jenner.
And Test cricket's leading run-scorer Allan Border said: "I'm a bit from the old school - throwing is throwing. If you straighten your arm, it's a throw."
But Cricket Australia was more positive about the proposal.
"It's a significant change from the current arrangements, but we all acknowledge perhaps they weren't correct. So we think it's a step forward," said spokesman Michael Brown.