New Australian Test cricket star Matt Kuhnemann must undergo testing after being reported for a suspect bowling action.
Cricket Australia has confirmed the left-arm spinner’s action was reported after the second Test in Sri Lanka.
After being notified officially on Tuesday, CA has a fortnight to organise biomechanical testing. The results will be referred to the International Cricket Council (ICC).
Kuhnemann potentially faces a ban if the ICC rules his action is illegal.
The local accredited testing facility is the national cricket centre in Brisbane.
“The match officials’ report cited concerns about the legality of the 28-year-old’s bowling action,” the ICC said in a statement released on Wednesday afternoon.
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Kuhnemann was a breakout star in Sri Lanka, leading the Australian bowling with 16 wickets at an average of 17.18 as Steve Smith’s men swept the two-Test series.
He has also received strong support from CA, amid surprise in the Australian camp his action had been reported.
“The Australian team was notified of the match officials’ referral following the second Test against Sri Lanka in Galle and will support Matt through the process of clearing this matter,” a CA spokesperson said.
“Matt has played 124 professional matches since his debut in 2017, including five Test matches and four one-day internationals.
“He has played 55 Big Bash League games since 2018. This is the first time in those eight years of professional cricket that his action been questioned.
“Cricket Australia will liaise closely with the ICC and independent experts in line with ICC regulations. No further comment will be made by Cricket Australia or Matthew until the matter is resolved.”
Kuhnemann, who plays domestically for Tasmania and the Brisbane Heat, is not in the Australian squad for two one-game internationals in Sri Lanka, and has returned to home.
While he is ineligible for international cricket because of the report, Kuhnemann can continue playing for Tasmania.
The spinner is not in the Tasmanian squad for Thursday’s home one-day game against Victoria at Bellerive Oval.
Under cricket rules, a player is allowed 15 degrees of flex in their bowling arm.
Kuhnemann recovered from a significant thumb injury to star in Sri Lanka as Australia won a Test series there for the first time in 14 years.
By Roger Vaughan.
