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Samuels action reported to ICC

13/01/2008

West Indian pace bowler Marlon Samuels has been reported to the International Cricket Council (ICC) for having a suspect bowling action.

The report was made by on-field umpires Simon Taufel and Aleem Dar, as well as third umpire Brian Jerling, to match referee Roshan Mahanama following the conclusion of the third Test between the Windies and South Africa.

The umpires claim their concern is limited to one of Samuels' deliveries, his 'fast ball', and that his action is fine other than during that particular delivery.

At this stage Samuels is not guilty of an illegal action, but the umpires thought there was enough wrong to warrant further investigation.

Mahanama explained: "Concerns have been raised by the match officials over the legality of Marlon's bowling action with particular reference to his 'fast ball' when viewed with the naked eye.

"We are therefore requesting the ICC to commission a biomechanical report into the bowler's fast-ball action in accordance with the process introduced in 2005."

Samuels will have a panel of experts test the validity of his action and, if found guilty following their analysis, will be asked not to bowl that particular ball in international cricket.

The test has to be completed within 21 days and the report made 14 days after that. But in the meantime Samuels is allowed to continue playing at international level – although he has been warned if he continues to bowl the 'fast ball' he could be reported a second time.

That means the all-rounder could compete in the limited overs competition against South Africa this month.