Kuhnemann was reported for a suspected illegal bowling action. He was the main wicket-taker in the two-Test series against Sri Lanka, but during the second and final Test match of the series at the Galle International Cricket Stadium, match officials questioned the legality of his bowling action, alongside complaints raised by Sri Lanka batters. He will now undergo biomechanical testing and will only be permitted to resume playing international cricket after passing all tests.
In the meantime, Australian officials have not been very talkative about the whole episode. The 28-year-old is reported to be under examination in Brisbane, during which he will have to bowl for several hours with reflective markers attached to his body, while several ICC experts will closely monitor his action. To pass the test, the Queensland cricketer must bowl at the same speed and with the same revs he produced in Sri Lanka.
Reflecting on Kuhnemann being reported, captain Steve Smith said that he hoped the left-arm spinner would pass the tests and wished him well. He also noted some surprise, as the cricketer has been a professional for eight years and nothing has previously been said about him.
“I’m a bit surprised. He’s played eight years in professional cricket, and nothing’s been said. I’m thinking of him. Right now, he has to go through the process. We are confident he’ll pass. He will do it. He’ll be back playing international cricket. We wish him the best,” Smith told The West Australian.
At present, if Kuhnemann is deemed to have acted unlawfully, he must show that the act was legal for him to return to international cricket; nonetheless, he may play in the Sheffield Shield depending entirely on the discretion of Cricket Australia.
