Simon

A few comments:

1. Do us the favour of waiting until the uncouth Australians make comments before castigating us for our opinions. To attack us for a view we have not yet expressed is nonsensical. Our tabloid press will do the trick for you, whether or not the rest of the nation agrees. Then you will have some justification for your otherwise baseless attack.

2. The comparison to Bodyline in not an apt one. The outrage felt in Australia had nothing to do with Bradman, who could be relied upon to take care of himself. And did - look at his average that tour. No, the outrage was because the English - a nation that we still childishly saw as all that was good and noble and gentlemanly about sport and life, were perpetrating a vicous attack upon our team that had nothing to do with sport and everything to do with maiming them. The MCC felt this shame so acutely that they changed the laws of the game to prevent a future Jardine from besmirching England's colours.

bob, melbourne, australia

Murali is fantastic, but I think he needs a bit more variation. Drift in the air, perhaps? I don't really see him bowling like when he got 16 wickets against Eng any more.

The comparison between Warne and Murali really doesn't stick, since they're so different. My personal opinion is leggies have a better chance of getting batsmen out, so I guess Murali truimphs overall. Nevertheless, I'd pick both Warne and Murali for my all time XI (Gavaskar, B. Richards, Bradman, Viv Richards, Sobers, Lara, A. Gilchrist, Imran*, Akram, Holding, Murali ... 12th: Warne... how's that?).

Tashfeen, Vancouver, Canada,

Thanks again Simon for another Australian bashing article. Just becuase a few scribes in Australia have an issue with his action, you extrapolate this out that all of Australia has a problem with Murali, just becuase he is breaking Warne's record.

It is complete crap, as usual. More than any country, Australian's are appreciative of the best of the best and Murali is no different. My mates and I are grateful to have seen him play the way his does, wiith passion, skill and guile.

My view on the greatness of Warne verus Murali is no different to my opinion on who is better, Lara or Tendulkar? My personal opinion is Lara but it is an opinion, probably with some bias becuase of his performances against Australia. With Murali and Warne, I saw Warne more than I did Murali and I saw Warne perform agsinst all nations (except India) and I look at Murali's record agsinst Australia, which isnt great

I will be interested in seeming the reactions to Murali from the non Australian greats!

Paul Ficard, Melbourne, Victorian

I fail to understand the eternal criticism from Australian fans and media towards Murali. If his action was ever in doubt, it was meticulously tested and cleared by the ICC. Its time the old ghosts are laid to rest and let this man enjoy his glorious achievement wholeheartedly and controversy-free. Oh and by the way, at the time I am scripting this Murali has just snapped his 710th scalp. Cheers!!

Kenny Israni, Waukesha, WI, USA

if murali is compromised because of his action
how is warne not compromised for taking a diuretic
it is easy to accept he did so for his vanity
but what of more sinister reasons ?
didn't he recover very rapidly from shoulder surgery and then test positive to a masking agent
everytime someone mentions murali's action - which has been cleared- they should also add warne's drug taking for which he was found guilty and banned

sanjeev, adelaide, australia

Murali was walmly welcomed in Australia last month when Sri Lanka toured. We do recognise a gentleman when we see one. Sure, he has copped some stick in the past from the crowds, who hasn't. It's all part of the glitter and roar of the game. None but the most miserly in Australia will begrudge Murali his astounding achievement. We do love Warne, but we also acknowledge greatness in others.

While Mr Barnes is easily the best cricket writer around, his analogy to `bodyline' is misplaced. The fact is, most contemporary Australian cricket commentators revere the achievements of Jardine and Larwood. Indeed, if you explain what they accomplished to young Australian cricket fans they are likely to exclaim - That sounds like good tough cricket!

England lost 5-0 to Australia in the most recent Ashes series. It did not make for enjoyable viewing. Frankly, in Australia we wish England would bring back `bodyline'. We want another Jardine to come to Australia and give us a bloody contest.

Shane Wells, Sydney, Australia

Had Sri Lanka had as many top bowlers as Australia over the years , Murali would have had to share the spoils a bit more , just like Warne , and so would not be setting this record just yet .

Benzo, Nr Chelmsford,

I do not agree with the insinution that Australians are the ones leading the way in questioning Murali's action (which has been cleared by ICC testing). You do not have to look further than India where his harshest critic (Bishan Bedi) has come from over the last few years. The umpiring controverseris were limited to Darrel Hair aned Ross Emerson who called the game as they saw it. There was no bias toward Murali, they law was very subjective as written when it was applied.
The parallel with Bodyline is not accurate, the outrage was not all about 'The Don' but about safety and fair play. I think that you generalise too much in your comments about Australian insularity and that Australia is the only place where his action has been questioned. Personally I believe he is a fantastic cricketer and great for the game.

Steve Wall, Monterey, CA, USA

The parallel you draw between bodyline and Murali is far-fetched at best.

In 32/33, Australians cared far less for the statistics of Don Bradman than they did for the safety of their players and the so-called "spirit of the game."

Obviously, these sentiments were echoed in England because it was the England-controlled MCC that ultimately outlawed leg-theory.

As for Murali:

1. by far the most vocal critic has been an Indian not an Australian; and

2. Our previous world record holder, Dennis Lillee, was every bit as great a hero as Warne is today. When his record was broken by whoever (seriously dont know) it barely caused a ripple as, like most Australians, I understand that records are meant to be broken.

If there is to be any controversy, it will probably be caused by a journalist asking Warne his opinion

Nicholas Herps, dubai,

what everyone forgets when they say murali bowls differently under test conditions is that EVERY bowler was tested the same way... if murali bowls with less bend during the tests, well then... so do they!!! and he had a lot less of a straigtening ( 9 degrees if I remember right) than some of the "perfect" aussie bowlers like Glen McGrath who was closer to 15 degrees. So if murali bowls differently and straightens it more in a match situation, dont you think that applies to the other bowlers as well?especially the fast bowlers who put in effort balls? Another conveniently forgotten fact ( mainly by the aussies) is that the rules werent changed to accomodate murali... almost EVERY bowler( and that includes Glen McGrath, Shaun Pollock, Courtney Walsh and Michael Holding to name but a very few was found to bend it significantly DURING TEST CONDITIONS... not match conditions!!! Maybe people should start saying the rules were changed to accomodate Glen who is closer to 15 degrees, not murali

Razz, sydney, australia

Murali - better bloke
Warnie - better cricketer

Byron Cooper, London,

I agree with Ed regarding the tribal way Aussie cricketers look after their own (look at Ricky Ponting and Shane Watson) however I think concerning Murali frustration is also an issue.

The rules for determining whether you throw are based on analysis of your bowling arm off the field. The analysis is based on a seriously large assumption, that you will bowl under analysis the same way you bowl on the field. I suspect most Aussies believe that Muarli bowls differently when under analysis (whether this is true or not...). Hence the frustration at the systems inability to proverbially 'point out the bleeding obvious'.

Murali has proven himself of the highest character as a sportsman (unlike certain other spin bowlers of note). As a cricket player of 20 years myself, what I want to see is a bowler who 'bowls' like Warne, with the personal character of Murali. This hybrid IMHO is someone who deserves to be the highest test wicket taker of all time.

Shane, Sydney, Australia

BIishen Bedi is not Australian.He has said that he doesnt bowl but 'chucks' . Please dont can the Aussies .Its any easy target.The game has integrity ,uphold it and keep some of the purity .Australians like who?? Journos , ex- players, name them and we can comment from a position of strength not ignorance.Daryl Hair is an international umpire so easy to say Australians are anti Murali.

graham haupt, MELBOURNE, Australia

He's a chucker.

Bill, Sheffield,

A big here here for your comments on Jason Robinson - I watched him for many years at Wigan where he thrilled the crowd in a thrilling team and thrilling game. Genius does indeed sum it up.

Symeon Breen, Kelso, Scotland

The emblem on the shirts of the England football team should be changed from three lions to 3 tampons. To celebrate their worst period ever!

Bushman, Gaborone, Botswana

Australian fans appreciate talented sports people regardless of nationality. The lack of respect for Murali which Australians have been accused of has little to do with the Australian public and a lot to do with the weird tribal protection, above and beyong normal team loyalty, Australian cricketers have for each other. Their insecurity is confusing.

Ed, Sydney, Australia