ICC dealing with suspected illegal bowling actions

The International Cricket Council has in place a comprehensive program to deal with bowlers with suspected illegal bowling actions.

Over the past two years, there has been a detailed review of this issue and fundamental changes have been made to the way in which the game is identifying and dealing with bowlers with flawed actions.

The ICC is working at both the international level through its reporting, reviewing and suspension procedures and at the domestic level where it is ensuring that each country is developing an effective system to address any concerns before players emerge on to the international stage.

Stage One provides a six week window for a bowler reported by an umpire or referee to work with experts from his own country and with a human movement specialist from a panel of ICC approved experts to address any flaws.

Stage Two applies if the bowler is reported again after this six week period. He is then required to attend a hearing of the ICC Bowling Review Group which has the power to suspend the player from the game if it is established that his action is illegal.

This is a simple and direct way of dealing with this issue that balances both the rights of the bowler and the batsmen.

In the past 12 months three players - Jermaine Lawson (West Indies), Sanwar Hossain (Bangladesh) and Shabbir Ahmed (Pakistan) have passed through Stage One of this process which is an indication of the attention that is being paid to bowlers' actions by ICC umpires and referees around the world.

Both Hossain and Ahmed have subsequently returned to their full international sides while Lawson is again available for selection for the West Indies after injury prolonged his absence from the team.

Under the direction of former South Africa vice-captain and now ICC General Manager - Cricket, David Richardson, the ICC is commissioning new research relating to spinners so that it has a clear, fact-based understanding of what actually takes place during a spin bowling delivery action. This research will take place later this year.

In March 2004 ICC Chief Executive Malcolm Speed said that he understood the concerns within the game about bowlers with illegal actions but underlined the commitment of the ICC to deal with the issue openly and directly.

"The whole issue of `chucking' is a highly charged one that provokes an often emotional response. It is important that the ICC deals with this on the basis of the facts and is not sidetracked by the emotional arguments that can so cloud this issue.

"Every umpire and every referee judges these issues solely on what they see in front of them. From time to time there are suggestions made that a particular player is either targeted or protected which is simply untrue.

"The Emirates Elite Panel of ICC Umpires and Referees is made up of highly experienced and capable men who have a deep understanding of the game and a breadth of experience in the sport. They are expected to and do act on what they see not on any other consideration.

"The ICC is committed to dealing with this issue and will continue to examine the best process to address any concerns."

In addition to the steps that are already in place the topic will again be one of the key discussion points that will be raised with players around the world when the ICC's Cricket Committee (CC) meets in May this year.

CC is the key group within the ICC that deals with on-field issues in the game. It is chaired by formed India captain, Sunil Gavaskar.

It is made up of 12 representatives, one from each Test playing country and two representing the ICC's Associate Member countries. Of the 12 members, six are nominated by the players and six are nominated by the Boards. To be eligible for nomination members must have either played or umpired at full international level.

In addition to Mr Gavaskar, current members of CC include Angus Fraser, Tim May, John Reid, Errol Stewart and Tiger Pataudi.

For further information:

Brendan McClements
General Manager - Corporate Affairs
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