Sri Lanka fast bowler Shaminda Eranga has been reported for a suspect bowling action, the International Cricket Council said Tuesday, adding to their woes after they lost the Test series to England. Concerns about the 29-year-old's action emerged during the second Test at the Riverside, where England beat Sri Lanka by nine wickets inside four days on Monday to go 2-0 up in the three-match series.
A statement from the ICC, cricket's global governing body, said: "The match officials' report, which was handed over to the Sri Lanka team management, cited concerns about the legality of the 29-year-old's bowling action." Eranga opened Sri Lanka's bowling in the first innings at the Riverside, returning figures of none for 100 in 27 overs during the hosts' 498 for nine declared.
The right-armer then bowled just one over in England's second innings as they chased down a target of 79 for victory. Under ICC regulations, Eranga is now required to undergo testing on his action within the next 14 days, but will be allowed to continue playing until the test results are known.
Eranga could be available for the third Test at Lord's starting on June 9. But if his action is deemed illegal, he could miss part of the subsequent limited-overs section of Sri Lanka's tour. Eranga has taken 53 wickets in 18 Tests at an average of nearly 38 since making his debut in 2011. Bowlers are meant to keep their arms as straight as possible in delivery so that the ball is 'bowled' rather than thrown towards the batsman. The ICC define an illegal bowling action as one in which the bowler's "elbow extension" exceeds 15 degrees while he is in his delivery stride. They set the 15-degree limit for all bowlers in November 2004 after research showed no bowler's arm remained perfectly straight in delivery.
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