Reprint: Marlon has got to stop
(Editor's note: The following article by Guyanese writer Imran Khan was published in 2003. In it, Khan discusses Marlon Samuels' illegal bowling action and makes a plea for the authorities to do something about it. Nothing was ever done. Earlier this week, Samuels was suspended by the ICC for an illegal bowling action.)
We are all aware of that rural adage "wha a play fuh lil boy, ah dead fuh crappo."
Marlon Samuels would do well to take heed and stop the very dangerous activity he is carrying on with in cricket at all levels. He is flirting with so much danger it could add another sorry episode to his cricketing career which needs anything but more negative attention at this point.
It was so blatant and irritating that Simon Crosskill, the Jamaican commentator alluded to it on television during the semi-final game against Guyana after Samuels had taken the wicket of Narsingh Deonarine, LBW with what was beyond doubt an illegal delivery. In Samuels' next over, when Crosskill came on air he said that Samuels should be careful not to take five wickets or more in a Test match lest what happened to Jermaine Lawson earlier this year happen to him as well. Those were precisely my words during earlier games.
Crosskill went on to say "I'm tempted to say no ball here," after Samuels sent down a second questionable delivery in the over.
After I made my observations during the last three Jamaica trial matches, I questioned several cricketing experts of worth in Jamaica and they all agreed that Samuels was indeed delivering with a flawed action for the most part. However no one was willing to bring the issue to the fore because with Samuels' being a Test cricketer, that would be to face heavy public criticism for attacking one of their favored sons.
In the 5th, 6th and 7th Jamaica trial matches at the Melbourne Oval, Port Esquivel ground and Sabina Park it was particularly bad. None, however, was worse than during the 5th game at Melbourne, Samuels' home ground. Being teased by some of his West Indies team mates who were on the opposing side in the trial match Samuels, jogged up to the crease, looked at them in the pavilion, shook his hand in the air and then what transpired next would make you think you were watching baseball instead of cricket. It was so funny that spectators around the ground could not help laughing as Gareth Breese struggled to get his bat to the ball in time.
Samuels did ease up somewhat in the following trial matches, but not by much. Again it was taken as humor by the onlookers who did not hide the fact that Samuels was not being legal.
In Jamaica's first Red Stripe Bowl match against the Leewards XI at Kensington Park Samuels continued without remorse much to the shock and horror of media personnel, but again nothing made the news.
In Jamaica's second preliminary round game at the Alpart ground against the Windward Islands there was no difference and I could not keep it hushed anymore so I wrote an article highlighting the issue. However I never submitted the article for publication and then when I saw what transpired in Jamaica's third game at Port Esquivel against Canada I was happy that I did not. Samuels bowled ten overs, every single delivery as clean as a whistle.
It was clear to me that given this complete turnaround that someone had spoken to Samuels or that he had taken it upon himself to correct his ways. I was pleased with this most satisfying change from Samuels and happy that I had withheld my article.
In Jamaica's final preliminary round match against Trinidad at Sabina Park, Samuels continued to bowl well even though only for four overs after which he left the field.
Then, with the television cameras on in the semi finals, beaming live pictures all across the Caribbean, Samuels went back to his old ways and brought himself into question, as should be the case, from a noted regional commentator.
Crosskill was spot on and so were two highly reputable umpires, both with Test experience, who raised the matter with me during the Jamaica v Trinidad and Tobago match. Both of the umpires suggested to me in no uncertain terms that it is only a matter of time before someone calls Samuels for throwing given the regularity and pronounced manner with which he does it. They never explained why they did not do it themselves as they had both officiated in matches when Samuels was bowling badly and not called.
The Jamaica Cricket Association (JCA) and the West Indies Cricket Board (WICB) both need to have their officers speak with Samuels sternly. He must stop for his own good, or else should he manage a big haul in Test or One Day International cricket he may come under ICC scrutiny and put another blotch on his career.
If he refuses to pay heed to the advice and warning then he should be banned from bowling as he does have the ability to bowl legitimately as he has proven in the past. When the incomparably talented cricketer contravenes the law, it is at his own deliberate choosing and he must stop now for what is play for him in the RSB can be disastrous for him and the West Indies in Test cricket.