Marlon Samuels reported for illegal bowling action

DUBAI: West Indies all rounder Marlon Samuels has been reported for illegal bowling action during the third Test match against South Africa.

The International Cricket Council (ICC) confirmed that on-field umpires Simon Taufel and Aleem Dar and third umpire Brian Jerling reported Samuels for a suspected illegal bowling action on one particular delivery during the third Test match in Durban, Sunday.

ICC chief match referee Roshan Mahanama has informed both the world body and the West Indies team management of the report.

"Concerns have been raised by the match officials over the legality of Marlon's bowling action with particular reference to his 'fast ball' when viewed with the naked eye," said Mahanama, in a statement issued by the ICC.

"We are therefore requesting the ICC to commission a biomechanical report into the bowler's fast-ball action in accordance with the process introduced in 2005," he said.

The report will be handled under the ICC's standard bowling review process. Samuels will now undergo independent analysis of his action by a member of the ICC's panel of human movement specialists.

This will take place as soon as is practicable, and within a maximum period of 21 days from receipt by the West Indies Cricket Board (WICB) of formal notice of the report by the ICC.

Within 14 days of the independent analysis being carried out, the appointed specialist will supply the ICC with a written report advising the outcome of the biomechanical assessment. This will confirm whether the action used by the off-spinner in the bowling of his fast ball in the third Test match was legal or illegal.

If Samuels is found to have been bowling with an illegal action he will be suspended from bowling that particular delivery in international cricket with immediate effect. He would then have the option of applying to the ICC for a re-assessment of his fast ball at any time in order to return to bowling it in international cricket.