Australian Spinner Kuhnemann Under Investigation for Bowling Action
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Synopsis
Matthew Kuhnemann, Australia's leading wicket-taker in Tests against Sri Lanka, is under scrutiny for a suspected illegal bowling action during the recent match in Galle. He may face suspension if found illegal after assessment.
Key Takeaways
- Matthew Kuhnemann reported for suspected illegal bowling.
- He took 16 wickets in two Tests against Sri Lanka.
- Assessment required to determine legality of action.
- Suspension possible if action deemed illegal.
- Can still play domestic cricket for Tasmania.
New Delhi, Feb 12 (NationPress) Australia’s top wicket-taker in Tests against Sri Lanka, Matthew Kuhnemann, has been flagged for a suspected illegal bowling action during the second Test held last week in Galle.
Kuhnemann, who secured 16 wickets in the two matches at Galle, was highlighted in a post-match report confirmed by Cricket Australia. He will now need to undergo an assessment to verify the legality of his action.
If his action is found to be illegal after the assessment, the 28-year-old will face a suspension from bowling until he modifies his action and passes a follow-up assessment.
Currently, Kuhnemann is allowed to participate in domestic cricket for Tasmania, but he cannot bowl at the international level during the evaluation process.
“The Australian team has been informed about the match officials’ referral after the second Test against Sri Lanka in Galle and will support Matt throughout the resolution of this issue,” stated Cricket Australia, as reported by cricket.com.au.
“Since his debut in 2017, Matt has participated in 124 professional matches, which include five Test matches and four one-day internationals. He has also played 55 Big Bash League matches since 2018.
“This marks the first occasion in his eight years of professional cricket that his action has been questioned. Cricket Australia will collaborate closely with the ICC and independent specialists in accordance with ICC regulations.
“No additional comments will be provided by Cricket Australia or Matthew until the issue is resolved,” they added.
According to ICC protocols, an illegal bowling action is characterized by an extension of the player’s elbow exceeding 15 degrees from when the arm reaches horizontal until the ball is released.
Match officials in international cricket assess potential illegal bowling actions using their observation and cricket experience, and if they suspect a player is using such an action, they will file a report.
The player is subsequently evaluated at an ICC-accredited testing facility, where advanced technology and experts in human movement oversee the process. This evaluation determines if the player is employing an illegal bowling action, and if so, they will be barred from bowling until they adjust their technique and pass a subsequent test successfully.
