Gunn's action deemed legal

The England fast bowler Jenny Gunn's bowling action has been deemed legal after an investigation by a specialist ICC panel.

Gunn, who plays for Western Australia, was suspended from bowling in domestic cricket in February mere days before the Women's World Cup got underway owing to an "illegal bowling action". Ten days later, she was reported to the ICC by Gerard Abood and Kathy Cross, the umpires for the World Cup match between England and Sri Lanka, who said they had concerns over Gunn's short-pitched deliveries.

Now, however, her action has been cleared by the ICC's Dr Mark King, part of the board's panel of Human Movement Specialists.

"The recordings are consistent with the rear view recordings (from both March 2009 and April 2007) which clearly shows that Miss Gunn's bowling arm goes from a near straight position when the upper arm is horizontal into extreme hyperextension and then back to a near straight position around the time of ball release," said King.

"The unusual amount of hyperextension and abduction may well create the illusion that Ms Gunn throws but that is not the reality. Her action complies with ICC regulations and the laws of cricket."