Sri Lanka's Tharindu Kaushal reported for suspect bowling action
Tharindu Kaushal has been reported for having a suspect bowling action following the conclusion of the third Test match between Sri Lanka and India in Colombo. The Sri-Lankan offspinner put in some good performances during the series which India won 2-1, but will now have to change his action if it is found to be illegal under the new ICC regulations for illegal actions.
An official statement from the International Cricket Council confirmed the report, which was handed over to them by the match referee Andry Pycroft. It also stated that the bowler will have to undergo testing within 14 days, although he will be allowed to continue playing for Sri Lanka until the results of scrutiny of his action are found.
"The match officials' report, which was handed over to the Sri Lanka management, cited concerns about the legality of the 22-year-old's bowling action," stated the media release. "Kaushal's bowling action will now be scrutinised further under the ICC process relating to suspected illegal bowling actions reported in Tests, ODIs and T20Is. He is required to undergo testing within 14 days, and, during this period, Kaushal is permitted to continue bowling in international cricket until the results of the testing are known."
With Sachithra Senanayake also called for suspect action earlier, this is the second time a Sri Lankan spinner has been reported for a suspect bowling action since the ICC started clamping down on illegal actions with stricter regulations back in July 2014. If found guilty of possessing an illegal bowling action, the 22-year-old will have rework it to satisfy a review committee from the ICC before Sri Lanka’s home series against the West Indies in October.
Kaushal has been hugely impressive since making his Test debut against New Zealand in 2014, picking up 24 wickets in just six matches. 13 of those wickets came in the recent 1-2 series loss to India, which included match figures of 8 for 181 in his side’s 63-run victory in the first Test at Galle. He was also included in the World Cup squad for the recent 50-over World Cup in Australia, where they got knocked out by South Africa in the quarter-finals.
He is expected to undergo testing for his unorthodox action in an ICC accredited testing centre at the Sri Ramachandra University in Chennai, which was the same place Senanayake went to for his testing.