Match referee questions Kirtley's action

Match referee Colonel Naushad Ali is to study video footage of James Kirtley's action during England's one-day victory over Zimbabwe at Harare before deciding whether to report his concerns officially to the International Cricket Council.

Colonel Ali said he thought "there was a problem" with Kirtley's action after he took two for 33 in his first one-day international appearance in Harare.

Colonel Ali has asked for tv replays of Kirtley and plans to look at his action again if he plays in Saturday's second match in the five-match series.

"I'm still investigating at the moment," said Colonel Ali. "I've asked for videos and slow motion replays and at the moment it is still in the observation stage.

"I have not put anything official in writing to the ICC and I will look at his bowling again if he plays on Saturday."

Kirtley was reported two years ago during an unofficial Test for England A in New Zealand. He was cleared by the England and Wales Cricket Board.

They are also asking for video footage and have called a management meeting today, which will also be attended by ECB chief executive Tim Lamb who is in Harare for an ICC meeting.

Tour manager Phil Neale also plans talks with John Carr, the ECB's Director of Cricket Operations, whose department cleared Kirtley last November following tests and filming by the biochemists department at Brighton University.

Kirtley said: "I will not be losing any sleep over this because as far as I'm concerned the slate is clean and yesterday was a happy day for me after making my England debut and taking a couple of wickets."

There was support for Kirtley from his county boss Peter Moores, who insists his action is legal "beyond any doubt".

Moores said: "What is very frustrating for us is that we've been through this before. We did a biomechanical analysis at Brighton University which proved beyond any doubt that his action was legitimate and he was cleared by an ECB panel.

"There is no other walk of life where you are cleared and then face the same problem 12 months later. It just doesn't seem fair to me. They've analysed it, it is all passed clear and yet we still seem to be in the same position.

"It's the vogue thing that any young quick bowler had to go through the mill of 'if he's any good he chucks it'. It was expensively examined, examining the elbow joint which was proved not to move."