``Some of the balls he bowls look a bit doubtful,'' said van der Merwe. ``It's not an ordinary action, but whether that's caused by the fact his wrist is extremely mobile or by his bent arm which apparently can't straighten, I can't answer.''

At least two Australian umpires have expressed doubts about the legitimacy of Muralitharan's action, including Darrell Hair, who no-balled the Sri Lankan seven times during a Test match in 1995. The ICC investigated Muralitharan's action after several other umpires complained but cleared him of throwing.

Four days ago, the ICC announced they was charging Hair under the umpire's Code of Conduct after he criticised Muralitharan's action in a book.

Last September, England coach David Lloyd was severely reprimanded by the England and Wales Cricket Board for questioning the bowler's action after a one-off Test at the Oval.

Muralitharan faces an important match against England in Adelaide a week today. The bowler, who has signed to play for Lancashire next season, was no-balled by umpire Ross Emerson in a one-day international in 1996. Emerson will be standing in the England v Sri Lanka day-night match, along with Tony McQuillan, who was also Emerson's partner in the controversial match three years ago.

The waiting could end in Harare today. England A are due to play the first match of their Zimbabwe tour well-prepared physically but short of cricket sharpness, writes Charles Randall.

Professional cricketers on tour want to click into a routine to focus on the task ahead, but this has not been possible because of the exceptional rainfall, well illustrated by a newspaper cartoon depicting two angels attempting to mend a leaky tap in the clouds over Zimbabwe.

The England players have remained cheerful, the only concern centering on the seam attack. Damp footholds have affected the fast bowlers, with Paul Hutchison and Steve Harmison suffering back strains. They have been ruled out of today's match against Country District at Harare South.

Pakistan will go ahead with their tour of India following assurances from New Delhi over security arrangements, Islamabad's envoy to India said yesterday.

``We are assured by the highest authorities in India that security arrangements are comprehensive and there will be no danger to our cricketers, and on that basis our cricket team will come on schedule to India,'' said High Commissioner Ashraf Jehangir Qazi.

Rain washed out the third one-day match between New Zealand and India when they made a second attempt to play it in Wellington yesterday.