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This large-scale dynamic representation of the Sri Lankan bowler Muttiah Muralitharan was painted by London-based American figurative painter Phil Hale. Hale is widely known for his figurative works that focus on angler forms and the tension between balance and athletic movement.
Muralitharan is shown here suspended against the sky in mid delivery. Born with a defect of the elbow, which prevented him from fully straightening his arm, his distinctive bowling action was called into question by umpires on several occasions. The controversy over his action led the International Cricket Council to introduce tolerance limits for bowlers straightening their arms in its playing regulations for Test cricket.