Sri Lanka offspinner reported for suspected action

Sri Lanka Under-19 offspinner Rushan Jaleel has been reported for an illegal bowling action. Bruce Oxenford and Shahul Hameed, the on-field umpires during Sri Lanka's 2010 U-19 World Cup warm-up match against Hong Kong at Hagley Park in Christchurch, reported the 19-year-old soon after the conclusion of the match. The bowler sent down seven overs, picking up 1 for 49.

Jaleel's bowling action will now be scrutinised under the ICC process relating to cricket other than Tests, ODIs and Twenty20 internationals. The bowler will be assessed by the Sri Lankan board in accordance with Clause 3 of the ICC regulations, whereby it will "instigate an immediate assessment of the bowler's action by its group of advisors and arrange for the undertaking of any remedial action required by the player concerned."

The board will then be asked to report back formally to the ICC within 21 days, but if the board's assessment concludes that the bowler's action is illegal, he would be immediately suspended from bowling in international cricket.

Until the result of the Sri Lankan board's assessment is made available, Jaleel may continue to play and bowl in the main tournament, beginning tomorrow, but may still be called by the umpires in accordance with the laws.

Sri Lanka have been placed in Group C of the 2010 Under-19 World Cup along with hosts New Zealand, Zimbabwe and Canada, and begin their campaign against Zimbabwe at the Bert Sutcliffe Oval on January 17.