West Indies bowler Sunil Narine banned from bowling by the ICC

The International Cricket Council (ICC) today confirmed that an independent assessment has found the bowling action of the West Indies bowler, Sunil Narine, to be illegal. The off-spinner has been suspended from bowling in international cricket with immediate effect.

The assessment revealed that all variations of his deliveries exceeded the 15 degrees level of tolerance permitted under the regulations. As per ICC regulations, Narine’s international suspension will also be recognised and enforced by all National Cricket Federations within domestic cricket events played in their own jurisdiction. However only with the consent of the West Indies Cricket Board (WICB), he may be able to play in domestic cricket events played under the supervision of the WICB.

The test was performed on Tuesday, 17 November at the ICC’s accredited testing centre in Loughborough University. Announcing the result of biomechanical bowling test of the cricketer, ICC declared his action illegal. According to the ICC, the player can apply for a re-assessment after modifying his bowling action in accordance with clause 2.4 of the Regulations for the Review of Bowlers Reported with Suspected Illegal Bowling Actions.

Narine was reported after the 3rd ODI match against Sri Lanka in Pallekele in November. This was the first time when he had been reported in an international game. Prior to this, he had undergone the scrutiny of his action during the Indian Premier League and the Champions League T20. He was reported twice in two matches during the 2014 edition of the CLT20, forcing him to miss Kolkata Knight Riders’ final against Chennai Super Kings.

Though he was free to bowl in international cricket, West Indies withdrew Narine from their tour of India to allow him an opportunity to have his action assessed and plan his return to cricket. He was left out of the national team for all subsequent international assignments until they selected him for the World Cup 2015. Narine had remodelled his action in the interim, however, pulled out of the tournament, saying the return would be, a little too much too soon.”