Pune Warriors off-spinner Marlon Samuels has been reported for a suspect action by the on-field and TV umpires after his team’s match against Chennai Super Kings, here on Saturday.
According to a media release issued by IPL, on-field umpires Aleem Dar and Bruce Oxenford along with TV umpire Vineet Kulkarni reported about West Indian cricketer’s action.
“Marlon Samuels has been reported for bowling certain deliveries with a suspected illegal action during IPL match against Chennai Super Kings, played in Pune on 14 April 2012.
The bowler was reported by on-field umpires Aleem Dar and Bruce Oxenford, along with third umpire Vineet Kulkarni, at the conclusion of the match,” the release stated.
Samuels’ action has been under scanner for quite some time but the murmurs were gaining momentum as some of his fast off-breaks created a lot of suspicion. The delivery that cleaned up Mumbai Indians’ Surya Kumar Yadav was bowled at a lot of pace and against CSK, Samuels bowled one over at a speed of over 122 kmph — average speed of Praveen and Vinay Kumar.
As of now Samuels can bowl but if reported once again, he will be debarred from bowling during matches.
“Under the IPL Suspected Illegal Bowling Action policy, Mr Samuels may continue to be selected to play and bowl for Pune Warriors India but should he be reported a second time, he will be suspended from bowling for the remainder of the season,” the release further stated.
The Pune Warriors management is yet to decide on the future course of action.
“We haven’t yet decided on our future course of action as we have just received the official intimation. As of now, if he is playing, he would be bowling,” a senior Pune official told PTI today.
Samuels hasn’t really contributed as a batsman and if he is debarred from bowling, one might just find explosive Bangladesh opener Tamim Iqbal taking fourth foreigner’s slot apart from Jesse Ryder, Steven Smith and Angelo Mathews who are certainties.
