Marlon Samuels’ bowling action found to be legal

The International Cricket Council today confirmed that following significant remedial work, an independent test has found the bowling action of the West Indies’ off-spinner Marlon Samuels to be legal and, as such, the player can resume bowling in international cricket.

 A comprehensive analysis revealed that his mean elbow extension was now comfortably within the 15-degree level of tolerance permitted under the relevant regulations. During the original test on 11 February 2008, his mean elbow extension had been calculated to be in excess of 15 degrees.

In the wake of that test Samuels was suspended from bowling in international cricket and subsequently underwent significant remedial work to modify his action. The 30-year-old from Jamaica was originally reported by umpires Aleem Dar and Simon Taufel following the third Test between South Africa and the West Indies in Durban from 8 to 10 January 2008.

 This latest independent analysis was performed by Prof. Bruce Elliott, member of the ICC Panel of Human Movement Specialists, and his team at the School of Sport Science, Exercise and Health, University of Western Australia (UWA), Perth, on 14 September.

The regulations for the review of bowlers reported with suspected illegal bowling actions can be found by clicking here.

 It is important to point out that under this process, as with all bowlers, Samuels’ action will continue to be scrutinised by match officials to ensure it remains legal.

Samuels in presently in Dubai with the West Indies team on a one-week camp as they prepare for the upcoming tour of Bangladesh. He was naturally very pleased with the good news.

 “It feels really good to know that I can bowl again in international cricket. I have been waiting for this moment for a while now. I am mainly a batsman in the team but it feels good to know that I can again contribute to the team in another area – with the ball. I am the kind of player who likes to be always involved in the game so this is great news for me and for the team,” he said.