Chris Green suspended from bowling due to illegal action

Offspinner Chris Green has been suspended from bowling due to an illegal action, Cricket Australia announced on Wednesday.

Green was withdrawn from the Sydney Thunder squad for their Big Bash League match against the Melbourne Stars, scheduled for later in the day. Thunder are fourth on the points table, while the Stars are at the top.

He was reported by umpires Nathan Johnstone, Mike Graham-Smith and third umpire Paul Wilson, after the match between the Thunder and Stars at the Sydney Showground Stadium on January 2.

Green will be unable to for a minimum of 90 days in CA-run competitions, effective immediately. After the 90-day suspension has elapsed, Green will be eligible to undergo testing once again with a view to returning to bowling. He will be permitted to play as a batsman should the Thunder or Cricket NSW desire and can also play premier cricket (including bowl) under the supervision and with the consent of Cricket NSW during his suspension.

So far, Green had played in each of the Thunder's seven matches in BBL 2019-20, and had the second best economy rate among Thunder's bowlers, with 7.55. He picked up only three wickets, but his miserly economy rate has been among his chief strengths.

In December, he had the best economy rate of any bowler in T20 cricket in the past year, giving up runs at just 6.57 per over.

Green had been picked up by Kolkata Knight Riders at his base price of INR 20 lakh in the IPL auction on December 19, and in November last year, he had signed the longest deal in BBL history, with Thunder snapping him up for six seasons.

Once he was reported, Green underwent testing at the National Cricket Centre in Brisbane on January 5 under the guidance of Dr Luke Kelly. Results from the test were made available to Cricket Australia on Wednesday, which showed Green to have an illegal bowling action.

Peter Roach, CA's head of cricket operations, praised the bowler and the franchise for their cooperation in the matter, and how they had handled it.

"We'd like to commend Chris and the Thunder for the way they have approached this process with complete cooperation and respect," he said. "Chris undertook testing at the earliest possible time and satisfactorily replicated his bowling action in the controlled environment. We look forward to working with Chris in the coming months and conducting further testing once the suspension period has elapsed."

"Gutted I couldn't be out there with my Thunder team-mates tonight," Green tweeted. "Whilst the news surrounding my action is disappointing, I respect the process and the results of the test. Perspective is a powerful thing with what is currently happening in our country.

"Through the help of my coaches, I will be doing everything I can to get back to doing what I love with ball in hand. I would like to thank everyone for their messages, I am very fortunate to have the best people and fans around to support me. Work starts tomorrow."