Loughborough becomes fourth bowlers' testing centre

Loughborough University, home of the ECB's national cricket performance centre, has become the fourth accredited testing centre for suspected illegal bowling actions.

Loughborough joins Cardiff Metropolitan University, Cricket Australia's national cricket centre in Brisbane and the Sri Ramachandra University in Chennai, which were all announced earlier this month.

Testing in Loughborough will be overseen by the University's Dr Mark King, who will act as the lead human-movement specialist in all testing cases. The centre will also continue to be used to test bowlers on behalf of the ECB - Gloucestershire's Jack Taylor was one of the bowlers required to be tested recently - and other cricket boards.

"The ECB is committed to assisting the ICC in tackling the issue of illegal bowling actions in international cricket," ECB Acting Chief Executive, Brian Havill, said. "It is excellent news that the NCPC's facilities, equipment and expertise through Dr Mark King and Loughborough University can be utilised for this purpose."

Loughborough was selected following the ICC's assessment against a range of criteria, including having an indoor area large enough to allow a player to bowl off his or her normal full run-up; a motion analysis system with a minimum of 12 high-speed cameras capable of producing three-dimensional data, suitably qualified personnel experienced in using such systems, and implementing the ICC testing protocol.

The testing protocol was created to allow for a consistent assessment of bowlers across the different facilities and countries.

"Loughborough University is the latest centre to assist in the management of the issue of illegal bowling actions in cricket," ICC cricket general manager Geoff Allardice said. "This strengthens the ICC's ongoing commitment to eradicating illegal bowling actions and we look forward to continuing the good work that has been done."

The ICC's testing facilities have been busy in recent months with Pakistan offspinner Saeed Ajmal, Kane Williamson, the New Zealander, Sohag Gazi from Bangladesh and Sri Lankan Sachithra Senanayake all required to undergo testing.