Marlon Samuels has been reported after the umpires during the Durban Test between South Africa and West Indies decided that aspects of his action were suspect.
Samuels, a part-time bowler with seven Test wickets at 127.00 to his name, was used more than usual during the match because of an injury to Dwayne Bravo and the absence of Chris Gayle and his offspinners. But on-field umpires Simon Taufel and Aleem Dar, supported third umpire Brian Jerling. Match referee Roshan Mahanama informed both the ICC and the West Indies team management of the report.
"Concerns have been raised by the match officials over the legality of Marlon's bowling action with particular reference to his 'fast ball' when viewed with the naked eye," Mahanama said in a statement. "We are therefore requesting the ICC to commission a biomechanical report into the bowler's fast-ball action in accordance with the process introduced in 2005."
Samuels will now undergo independent analysis of his action by a member of the ICC's panel of human movement specialists. That will take place as soon as is practicable. Within 14 days of the independent analysis being carried out, the appointed specialist will supply the ICC with a written report advising the outcome of the biomechanical assessment. This will confirm whether the action used by Samuels in the bowling of his fast ball was legal or illegal.
If Samuels is found to have been bowling with an illegal action he will be suspended from bowling that particular delivery in international cricket with immediate effect. He would then have the option of applying to the ICC for a re-assessment of his fast ball at any time in order to return to bowling it. If that was approved he would be allowed to continue but subject to the warning that should he continue to bowl his fast ball he would run the risk of being reported a second time.
In the circumstance that a further report resulting in an independent analysis concluded that he bowled with an illegal action, the resultant suspension would be considered to be a second suspension and therefore he would be suspended for a minimum period of one year. Only after the expiry of this one year period would he be entitled to approach the ICC for a re-assessment of his action.
In the mean time, at this stage Samuels is free to play and bowl in international cricket, at the discretion of the WICB, until the biomechanical report has been completed.