Australian spinner Matt Kuhnemann, fresh off an impressive performance in Sri Lanka, has been reported for a suspect bowling action. Despite his stellar 16-wicket haul in the recent Test series against Sri Lanka, Kuhnemann's celebration was short-lived as match officials raised concerns over the legality of his action during the second match in Galle.
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| Image Credits: BBC |
Kuhnemann, who has been a professional cricketer for eight years without prior issues regarding his bowling action, is scheduled to undergo biomechanical testing at the National Cricket Centre in Brisbane within the next fortnight. This comes amidst a thumb injury on his non-bowling hand, which has ruled him out of Tasmania's upcoming Sheffield Shield match against South Australia.
Despite the injury, the testing will proceed as scheduled since it does not affect his ability to bowl. The International Cricket Council (ICC) allows for up to 15 degrees of elbow flexion in a bowler's action, and Kuhnemann must prove he adheres to this limit to continue bowling in international matches.
Former Australian captain Tim Paine has weighed in on the controversy, comparing Kuhnemann's action to that of India's Jasprit Bumrah, suggesting there might be some flexion but not enough to classify as illegal. Paine expressed concern over the psychological impact on Kuhnemann, noting the stigma associated with being accused of "throwing."
The timing of the report has puzzled many, including members of the Sri Lankan team, who were surprised that Kuhnemann was only cited after the series concluded. Kuhnemann will need to clear these tests to maintain his spot in the Australian squad for future ICC events, including the upcoming tour to the West Indies. If his action is deemed illegal, he faces suspension until he can modify his technique to pass subsequent tests.
