Samuels has been reported for a suspicious action numerous times in the past
Brisbane Heat head coach Darren Lehmann has been charged with breaching Cricket Australia’s Code of Behaviour after he questioned the legitimacy of West Indies all-rounder Marlon Samuels’ bowling action during his side’s loss to the Melbourne Renegades at Etihad Stadium.
Lehmann was charged with breaching Rule 9 of Cricket Australia’s Code of Behaviour, which states that neither players nor officials should “denigrate or criticise another player or denigrate or criticise an official, umpire, referee or team against which they have played or will play, whether in relation to incidents which occurred in a match or otherwise; denigrate or criticise another player or official by inappropriately commenting on any aspect of his or her performance, abilities or characteristics.”
During the match, Samuels gave only 18 runs from his four overs, which enabled the Renegades to pull off an outstanding victory.
“I’ve spoken to the umpires about it,” Lehmann said after the game. “I just want something done.
“He couldn’t bowl in the IPL (Indian Premier League) last year, yet he can bowl in the BBL. We’ve got to seriously look at what we’re doing. Are we here to play cricket properly or what? If he’s deemed legal, I’m totally understanding of that. But from my point of view from 20 years’ of cricket, I’ve got a problem with 120km/h off no steps.”
During last year’s edition of the IPL, Samuels was reported for having a suspicious action by on-field umpires Aleem Dar and Bruce Oxenford and also the third umpire Vineet Kulkarni while representing the Pune Warriors in a match against the Chennai Super Kings.
However, those have not been the only two incidents concerning Samuels’ action, as in 2008, during the third Test between South Africa and the West Indies in Durban, on-field umpires Simon Taufel and Dar, along with third umpire Brian Jerling submitted reports over the all-rounder’s action, and made special reference to his “fast” deliveries.
In 2011 the International Cricket Council (ICC) cleared Samuels after an independent test found that his bowling action was in fact legal.
Cricket Australia released a statement about their policy towards suspect actions, which said: “CA has a Doubtful Bowling Action Procedure and according to this policy, any bowler mentioned by three different umpires in the same season is reported. Umpires also have the option to bypass the mentions process and lodge a report directly if they feel it is warranted.”