Senananyake reported for suspected illegal bowling action; SLC surprised by ICC move

Tuesday, 3 June 2014 00:36 - - {{hitsCtrl.values.hits}}

Sri Lanka off-spinner must undergo testing within 21 days Sri Lanka off-spinner Sachithra Senanayake has been reported with a suspected illegal bowling action during his side’s seven runs victory over England in the fourth One-Day International at Lord’s on Saturday. Senanayake was reported at the end of the match by on-field umpires Marais Erasmus and Ian Gould, both from the Emirates Elite Panel of ICC Umpires, TV Umpire Chris Gaffaney, and Jeff Crowe of the Emirates Elite Panel of ICC Match Referees.

Crowe handed over the copy of the report to the Sri Lanka team manager on Sunday. The umpires’ report cited concerns over a number of deliveries that were considered to be suspect. Senanayake’s bowling action will now be scrutinised further under the ICC process relating to bowlers reported in Tests, ODIs and T20Is. The off-spinner is required to undergo testing within 21 days, and, during this period, he is permitted to continue bowling in international cricket until the results of the testing are known. Senanayake has played one test, 33 ODIs and 17 Twenty20 matches for Sri Lanka. Sri Lanka Cricket in a statement said ICC move comes as a surprise since Sachithra had over the past 2 years played many bilateral/ ICC tournaments and four earlier games in the current tour without any hint of suspicion, “As however, the ICC has a procedure in place for situations such as this, SLC has no option but to adhere to the laid down process. According to this process, Sachithra is not debarred from consideration for selection to the 5th ODI to be played at Edgbaston today,” SLC said.