Adam Gilchrist has been let off with a reprimand after raising doubts about the legality of Muttiah Muralitharan's bowling action. Gilchrist attended a code-of-behaviour hearing, chaired by ACB commissioner Alan Sullivan, which lasted nearly three-and-a-half hours. ACB chief executive officer James Sutherland took part by telephone from Melbourne.

Sutherland admitted the penalty was not severe. "There are a number of penalties on offer," he said. "By my reading of it, it would be at the very low end."

Sutherland added that Gilchrist's comments were not regarded as malicious. "The commissioner found that although Adam's comments were made innocently and in good faith, they were also detrimental to the game of cricket.

"As administrators we do not enjoy taking action against our own players, particularly against those of Adam's upstanding nature.

"The ACB recognises Adam's outstanding contribution to the image and success of Australian cricket through his conduct both on and off the field. However the code of behaviour is in place for a very important reason, its fundamental purpose is to promote the image and credibility of the game of cricket and in this case, particularly in the context of the ACB's relationship with other nations."

Gilchrist, currently rated the world's top batsman, made the accusation while speaking at a luncheon hosted by the Carlton Australian Rules Football Club in Melbourne.

He was reported to have told his audience that Muralitharan's delivery did not comply with the game's rules. His criticism comes just over two months after former Indian captain Bishan Bedi attacked Muralitharan's action, in an interview for Wisden Asia Cricket.

Relations between Australia and Sri Lanka have been frosty ever since Muralitharan was called for throwing at Melbourne in December 1995 and again during a one-day international at Brisbane in 1999.

Sutherland had immediately tried to play down the latest embarrassment, insisting that Gilchrist's comments were in no way reflective of the ACB's position. "Muttiah Muralitharan's action has been cleared by the International Cricket Council after an exhaustive review," said Sutherland. "The ICC has a rigid and comprehensive process in place to continually assess the legality of bowling actions and the ACB supports this process."

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