Sri Lankan spin bowler Muttiah Muralitharan was called for throwing by Australian umpire Ross Emerson during England's one-day international at the Adelaide Oval.

Captain Arjuna Ranatunga held up the match after the call and took his players towards the dressing room. After more than 10 minutes delay, Ranatunga led his players back into action.

Muralitharan was called for throwing by Emerson and colleagues Darrell Hair and Tony McQuillan on Sri Lanka's previous visit to Australia in 1995. His action was later cleared by an International Cricket Council investigation.

He was called on the third ball he bowled Saturday and after the delay completed the over without further incident.

Book row

Hair has been charged by the ICC this month for recent comments in a book describing the Muralitharan's action as "diabolical".

Muralitharan was no-balled by Hair for throwing seven times in the Boxing Day test match at the Melbourne Cricket Ground in 1995. Emerson and McQuillan no-balled him in a limited-overs match in Brisbane.

Saturday's match was the first time Muralitharan bowled under the supervision of an umpire who had previously called him. McQuillan is also standing in the match.

Ranatunga said Friday he was unconcerned about playing under Emerson and McQuillan.

Muralitharan had been subjected of taunts by Australian crowds in earlier matches this tour.

"It's frustrating when you go to the ground and people are shouting at you every time that's the annoying thing more than anything else," Muralitharan said last week.

"But I think the more they shout the more I'll be tougher."