Matthew Kuhnemann awaits the outcome of tests on his bowling action, conducted over the weekend in Brisbane, after being reported during Australia’s recent Test series in Sri Lanka. The assessment at the National Cricket Centre involved high-speed cameras and 3D motion analysis to evaluate his elbow extension. Results will be reviewed by the ICC, which may prohibit him from bowling if his elbow extends beyond 15 degrees. Australia’s players, including stand-in captain Steven Smith, expressed confidence in Kuhnemann’s ability to clear the tests. If cleared, he will be eligible to play for Tasmania and join Australia’s tour of the West Indies in June.
Just a week after being reported during Australia’s 2-0 Test series victory in Sri Lanka, Kuhnemann has now undergone tests regarding his suspect bowling action.
“Matthew has successfully completed the evaluation at the National Cricket Centre in Brisbane,” Cricket Australia stated on Wednesday. “The ICC will reach a decision in due course. Neither Cricket Australia nor Matthew will be providing any public comments at this moment.”
The 28-year-old underwent a rigorous session lasting over an hour in Brisbane, where he was asked to bowl with a similar speed and revolutions to those used in Galle.
Experts from the International Cricket Council (ICC) observed the entire process, with Kuhnemann wearing markers on his body and surrounded by multiple high-speed cameras and a 3D motion analysis system.
The results of these tests will be evaluated over the coming week, after which the ICC will determine Kuhnemann’s bowling action. If it is found that he excessively extends his elbow by more than 15 degrees on his stock delivery, Kuhnemann will be prohibited from bowling until he can demonstrate that the issue has been addressed.
Conversely, if cleared, the spinner will be permitted to continue bowling for Tasmania in the Sheffield Shield and will be eligible for Australia’s tour of the West Indies in June.
The ICC also holds the authority to determine if a bowler’s action is only problematic for specific types of deliveries. In such cases, a player could continue bowling without those variations until cleared.
Australia’s players are accustomed to biomechanical testing, with high-performance staff frequently utilizing similar facilities to enhance the bowling actions of fast bowlers.
Kuhnemann also played through pain to become the leading wicket-taker of the Warne-Muralidaran Trophy, claiming 16 wickets at an average of 17.18 across the two Tests in Sri Lanka. It was after the second Test that Kuhnemann learned his action had been reported, marking the first time in eight years of professional cricket.
Australian players have rallied in support of Kuhnemann as he seeks to have his bowling action cleared, with stand-in captain Steven Smith expressing confidence that he will have no issues.
“It caught me a bit off guard,” Smith, who captained Australia against Sri Lanka, remarked last Friday. “He has been playing for eight years in professional cricket, and nothing has been flagged during that time.
“I’m thinking of him at this moment; he must go through the required process. We are confident he will pass. He will proceed through this back home, and we wish him all the best.”