Woolmer calls for review of suspect bowling actions

FAISALABAD—Pakistan coach Bob Woolmer has called for a review of the International Cricket Council’s (ICC) process for dealing with illegal bowling actions, saying it was not satisfactory.
“I have my views, but it is not a satisfactory process at the moment,” Woolmer told reporters Saturday on the eve of the second Test against England. His comments came two days after Pakistani bowlers Shabbir Ahmed and Shoaib Malik were reported for suspect bowling actions.
The duo was reported by on-field umpires Billy Bowden and Simon Taufel, and TV umpire Asad Rauf after the first Test against England at Multan, which the hosts won by 22 runs on Wednesday. However, both Ahmed and Malik are permitted to play international cricket pending the outcome of an independent analysis of their bowling action.
The current ICC process was introduced in March this year, allowing bowlers to straighten their arms at the time of delivery by 15 degrees. It also states that no reported bowler will be permanently cleared. Any bowler reported twice within two years will be banned for at least 12 months.
Woolmer said it was unfortunate that Ahmed was reported soon after he was cleared by the ICC. “I am saying it needs a review in that a bowler go to a biomechanic laboratory after his action is questioned, spend time there to get cleared, comes back to the field and is called immediately,” said Woolmer.The 29-year-old Ahmed, reported after the first Test against the West Indies in May this year, was suspended after he was found straightening his arm by 27 degrees.
The ICC subsequently suspended him from bowling in July. Ahmed underwent biomechanical tests in Australia before he was cleared last month. He faces a one-year ban if another analysis finds him transgressing the allowed limits.
“After being cleared last month Ahmed has to go to the lab again. It is unfortunate and a blow,” said Woolmer. “Ahmed gives us the balance with different types of angel of his delivery. I think tall bowlers are successful like Glenn McGrath, Andrew Flintoff, Steve Harmison, just to name a few.” Ahmed is likely to be dropped from the playing eleven for the second Test here.
Pakistan have been hit hard by the rules, with Ahmed reported four times, Shoaib Akhtar (thrice), Malik (thrice), Shahid Afridi (once) and Mohammad Hafeez (once).—Agencies