Pune Warriors off-spinner, Marlon Samuels, has been reported for an unclean bowling action by the on-field and TV umpires after the team’s match against the Chennai Super Kings.
According to a media release from the Indian Premier League (IPL), the on-field umpires, Aleem Dar and Bruce Oxenford, together with the TV umpire, Vineet Kulkarni, reported the West Indian’s bowling action after the game against the Super Kings.
“Marlon Samuels has been reported for bowling certain deliveries with a suspected illegal action during IPL match against Chennai Super Kings, played in Pune on April 14, 2012. The bowler was reported by on-field umpires Aleem Dar and Bruce Oxenford, along with third umpire Vineet Kulkarni, at the conclusion of the match,” the media release from the IPL stated.
The off-spinner’s action has been shrouded in controversy for quite a while, but, the whispers are now getting louder, as his fast off-break deliveries are starting to create a lot of suspicion.
One delivery that was bowled against the Mumbai Indians’ batsman, Surya Kumar Yadav, was said to have a lot of pace behind it.
Even during the match against the Super Kings, Samuels bowled a delivery that was recorded to be over 122 kmph, which is the average speed of Indian pace bowlers, Praveen and Vinay Kumar.
Since this is the first complaint of the West Indian’s bowling action, he will be allowed to continue, however, if he is reported once again, he will be banned from bowling during matches.
“Under the IPL Suspected Illegal Bowling Action policy, Mr Samuels may continue to be selected to play and bowl for Pune Warriors India but should he be reported a second time, he will be suspended from bowling for the remainder of the season,” the release further stated.
The Pune Warriors have not released any comment on what course of action they plan to take.
A senior Pune Warriors official said: “We haven’t yet decided on our future course of action as we have just received the official intimation. As of now, if he is playing, he would be bowling.”
If Samuels were to be banned from bowling, Bangladesh opener, Tamim Iqbal, may replace him, since he has not made much of a contribution with the bat.