Yes, Lasith Malinga's delivery action is legal.
Despite its distinctive roundarm, or "slinging" appearance, Malinga's action adheres to the laws of cricket. The key factor is that his arm does not straighten from a bent position during the bowling action. This is what differentiates a legal action from an illegal chuck. While some have questioned its legality over the years, it has consistently been deemed legal by match officials.
Here's a breakdown of why it's considered legal:
- Roundarm Action: Malinga's action is undeniably roundarm, but this style itself isn't illegal.
- No Straightening of the Arm: The crux of the issue revolves around whether the bowler's arm straightens during the delivery. If the arm straightens from a bent position, it constitutes a "chuck," which is illegal. Malinga's arm action has been analyzed extensively, and it has been determined that his arm does not straighten illegally.
In essence, Malinga's unique action, while visually unorthodox, remains within the boundaries of the laws of cricket because it doesn't involve the illegal straightening of the arm during the bowling action.
