West Indies mystery spinner Sunil Narine became the latest inductee in the ‘˜suspect bowling action’ list by the ICC. It seems that the on-field umpires took note of Narine’s ‘˜mystery’ ball during the former’s game…
West Indies mystery spinner Sunil Narine became the latest inductee in the ‘suspect bowling action’ list by the ICC. It seems that the on-field umpires took note of Narine’s ‘mystery’ ball during the former’s game with the Dolphins in the CLT20.
With that said, Narine is not the only bowler to join the list of spinners but here are other top 10 notable bowlers that the ICC have reprimanded for over the years.
Brett Lee (Australia)
Back in 2000, fast bowler Brett Lee was just taking steps into the international arena when umpires decided to report the Aussie’s action to the ICC. The umpires, who were officiating during a Test match between Australia and New Zealand, had reported concerns about Lee’s action to the then ICC match referee, Mike Denness.
Shoaib Akhtar (Pakistan)
Pakistan were known for its fiercest pacers and in 1997, they introduced Shoaib Akhtar. The pacer, who was feared amongst the batsmen, was reported for suspect action by the on-field umpires back in 1999 and soon suspension followed. Even though, the cricket’s governing body worked on his action, critics and pundits still cited an ‘error’ in his bowling action.
Harbhajan Singh (India)
One of India’s best spinner in Indian and overseas conditions, Harbhajan Singh came under the spotlight for the wrong reasons. In 2005, ‘Bhajji’ was reported for a suspected illegal bowling action especially the ‘doosra’, a delivery that leaves the right-handed batsmen. As BCCI intervened, the ICC reworked on Harbhajan’s arm action and later on, was given the green light by the governing body.
Johan Botha (South Africa)
One of South Africa’s talented spinners and even led the side in certain tournaments, Johan Botha was cited for a suspect bowling action during his Test debut in January 2006 and was barred from playing. Soon, Botha worked on his action but the ban stayed on and finally, in 2007 his name was cleared from chucking.
Muttiah Muralidharan (Sri Lanka)
Cricket’s biggest ever controversy rolled out in Australia when a young Murali, then, was in middle of a bowling spell and after the delivery, then-umpire Darrell Hair called it a ‘no ball’. Since then, Murali has been twice cleared of suspect bowling, by the ICC.
Marlon Samuels (West Indies)
West Indies cricket and controversy go hand in hand and one of them was Marlon Samuels. Batsman by trade, Samuels is also a part-time spinner but that cost him dearly when the on-field umpires reported of a suspect action in South Africa in 2008. The ICC suspended the smashing batsman and it took three years to clear his action after a spell working at the University of Western Australia.
Kane Williamson (New Zealand)
Kiwi part-time spinner, Kane Williamson Kane Williamson, was suspended from bowling in international cricket after his action was found to be illegitimate by the ICC. Williamson’s ban happened to be taken place after the second Test against West Indies and tests showed that the Kiwi’s elbow extension when bowling exceeded the 15 degrees acceptable under the ICC rules.
Mohammed Hafeez (Pakistan)
Pakistan’s T20 skipper Mohammed Hafeez came under the scanner after the umpires of the CLT20 reported of a suspect bowling action. Hafeez who is serving now with the T20 team, Lahore Lions in the Champions League, will have to appeal for an official assessment of his bowling from BCCI suspect bowling action committee.
James Kirtley (England)
Touted as England’s answer to Brett Lee, James Kirtley was one of the fastest bowler around in English cricket. But in 2001 at Zimbabwe, umpires reported of a suspect bowling action and that turned out to be a nail in the coffin for Kirtley. Even though, he was cleared from the action, Kirtley failed to make an impression on the international scene.
Sachithra Senanayake (Sri Lanka)
Another Sri Lankan who caught the eye of the ICC for suspect bowling action was off-spinner Sachithra Senanayake. The offie was reported to have a suspect action and was suspended from bowling in international cricket this year after tests conducted, showed that he was exceeding the allowed 15-degree elbow extension while delivering the ball.
