The New Zealand cricket team yesterday remained firm in the face of international criticism over the run out of Muttiah Muralitharan during the first Test against Sri Lanka on Saturday.
New Zealand has been swept up in a storm of protest since 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.
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 yesterday 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.
"The umpires take the same view as us," chief executive Martin Snedden said. "It was a lapse of concentration on Murali's part. It wasn't a marginal situation and it was out."
Veteran batsman Nathan Astle also supported McCullum who has borne the brunt of the criticism over the past two days.
"We're fully behind Baz [McCullum]," he said.
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