Matthew Kuhnemann Goes Through ICC Testing; Waits For Result On Bowling Action

Australia’s left-arm spinner, Matthew Kuhnemann, was reported for a suspect action after their rare 2-0 Test series victory in Sri Lanka a couple of weeks ago. The visiting spin department, who had a preparation camp in the United Arab Emirates just before the trip, enjoyed their time on the Island.

Matthew Kuhnemann, who has picked up 25 wickets in just nine red-ball innings at an average of 22.20 and a strike rate of 41, thanks to a couple of five-wicket hauls, picked up 16 wickets during the four innings, with two four-wicket hauls at the best bowling figure of 5/63 in an innings.

Matthew Kuhnemann undergoes ICC bowling testing

Generally, the ICC allowed 15 degrees of flex in their actions. It was the first time in a professional career for the bowler, which began in 2017, that Kuhnemann’s action came into question. While his action came under scrutiny, he could have continued to play the domestic games, but the Tasmania side didn’t include him in the One-day games.

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“The Australian team was notified of the match officials' referral following the second Test against Sri Lanka in Galle and will support Matt through the process of clearing this matter.” The spokesperson of Cricket Australia (CA) expressed in a statement.

He went through the ICC bowling testing and could learn his fate by the end of the next week. Matthew Kuhnemann went through intensive tests on his bowling in Brisbane over the weekend.

“Matthew has completed the assessment, which was performed at the National Cricket Centre in Brisban. The ICC will decide in due course. Neither Cricket Australia nor Matthew will be making any public comment at this time.” CA noted in a statement on February 19 (Wednesday).

Matthew Kuhnemann bowls for an hour before ICC experts

The 28-year-old started the testing in pacers during a session that lasted for more than an hour. Kuhnemann bowled at a similar speed and with similar revolutions to what he did in Galle, as the International Cricket Council (ICC) experts monitored his progress, with the spinner wearing markers on his body. Several high-speed cameras and the 3D motion analysis system were tracking his actions.

The results of the assessment will come out over the next week before the ICC makes the final decision on the spinners’ future. If the experts find the 28-year-old extending his elbow by more than 15 degrees on his stock ball, then he could face a ban from bowling until he can provide a solution.

Otherwise, they will declare him fit as he could feature for Tasmania’s next Sheffield Shield clash and be available for Australia’s next Test trip to West Indies in June, just after their final of the World Test Championship (WTC) against South Africa at Lord’s.

Steve Smith backs Matthew Kuhnemann to overcome bowling action’s issue

Matthew Kuhnemann’s tests came as he still can’t confirm his position for their next red-ball domestic game against South Australia, besides battling with the thumb injury that he picked during the recent Big Bash League (BBL) for the Brisbane Heat.

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“It's come as a bit of a surprise to me. He has been playing for eight years in professional cricket, and nothing has been said in that amount of time.” Australia’s stand-in captain, Steve Smith, expressed last Friday.

“I am thinking of him, at present, he has to go through the process. We're confident he will pass. He will go through that process back home; we wish him all the best.” The veteran concluded.