New Zealand unmoved by run out furore

CHRISTCHURCH—The New Zealand cricket team Monday remained firm in the face of international criticism over the run out of Muttiah Muralitharan which controversially ended its first test against Sri Lanka.
New Zealand has been swept up in a storm of protest since Saturday when wicketkeeper Brendon McCullum took off the bails to dismiss Muralitharan as he left his crease to congratulate his batting partner Kumar Sangakkara on a century.
The ball was still alive, between the fieldsman and the wicketkeeper, when Muralitharan turned after completing a single and set off down the pitch to shake Sangakkara’s hand. South African umpire Brian Jerling upheld New Zealand’s appeal for the dismissal, which cost Sri Lanka its last second innings wicket, and allowed New Zealand to win the match by five wickets.
Relations between the New Zealand and Sri Lankan teams have been soured by the incident and Sri Lanka has won international support for its claim that New Zealand’s action was outside the spirit of cricket.
New Zealand has staunchly defended itself, saying the runout was within the rules of the sport and insisting Muralitharan was in error for leaving his crease while the ball was alive. McCullum maintained that stance Monday but admitted surprise of the level of criticism New Zealand has received over the incident.
“I didn’t expect the repercussions from it, it’s been pretty hard to swallow,” he said. “I’m a proud New Zealander, playing for my country. I’ve done nothing wrong.” “I never thought it the wrong thing to do. The rules are there and you can’t reward stupidity,” McCullum said. New Zealand Cricket has supported its team, citing the letter of the law.—Agencies