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Bukhosi Mangena Sports Correspondent
ZIMBABWE and Matabeleland Tuskers pace bowler Brian Vitori, 25, is being investigated by the International Cricket Council (ICC) for suspect bowling action.
Vitori was cited by match officials that officiated in Zimbabwe’s third Twenty20 International against Bangladesh in the sub-continent on Wednesday.
This means Vitori has to undergo screening tests within the next 14 days to evaluate the nature of his deliveries, but he will be eligible to play in today’s T20 decider against Bangladesh.
“The match officials’ report, which was handed over to the Zimbabwe team management after the match, cited concerns about the legality of the 25-year-old’s deliveries.
“Vitori’s bowling action will now be scrutinised further under the ICC process relating to suspected illegal bowling actions reported in Tests, ODIs and T20Is. He is required to undergo testing within 14 days and, during this period, Vitori is permitted to continue bowling in international cricket until the results of the testing are known,” read the ICC statement sent to Zimbabwe Cricket.
Under the ICC bowling regulations, the level of elbow extension measured for all deliveries bowled are supposed to be within the 15-degree rule, which states that the bowler should not straighten his arm during the course of action of bowling a delivery starting from the point when his arm has reached the level of the shoulder.
Former Chevrons’ captain Prosper Utseya was also investigated by the ICC for a similar offence in 2014 and was banned from bowling his off-break spin. Utseya was tested at an accredited facility in Cardiff, Wales, and all of his deliveries were deemed illegal. He had been reported by ICC’s match officials following the third ODI against South Africa in Bulawayo in August, 2014.
Last year, Malcolm Waller was also cited for a similar bowling action, but the ICC found his off-spins within their degree of regulations.
The ICC umpires have been strict with identifying illegal actions and bans were handed out to Pakistan’s Saeed Ajmal and Sri Lanka’s Sachithra Senanayake among others, after both were found guilty of breaking the 15-degree flex rule.
Online Reporter