Ross Alexander Emerson (born 26 February 1954) is a former Australian cricket umpire who is best known for calling Sri Lankan off-spinner Muttiah Muralitharan for throwing.
He immediately became controversial, no-balling Muralitharan seven times, and continuing to do so even when he switched to bowling legbreaks, which are considered impossible to throw[citation needed].
This led to Muralitharan being dropped by Sri Lanka for the rest of the tour, as he was unable to bowl without being called.
Video clearly showed that Emerson was calling Muralitheran's legbreaks as throws as well, proving to many that he was simply out to call any delivery that Muralitheran bowled a no ball[citation needed], regardless of it involving straightening the arm or not (Emerson had what can best be described as a poor game when the later missed a clear run out of Jayawardene).
However, cricket commentator Peter Roebuck labelled Emerson a "nincompoop" for calling his legbreak a noball.