Left-arm spinner Matthew Kuhnemann has been cleared to bowl in international cricket by the ICC after passing tests in Brisbane. He was reported for a suspect bowling action following Australia’s Test series in Sri Lanka in January-February, where he took 16 wickets. The independent assessment confirmed his elbow extension was within the permissible limit. Although he could have played domestically, a thumb injury has sidelined him. It remains uncertain if he will be fit for Tasmania’s upcoming Sheffield Shield match against Queensland on March 6. His teammates, including captain Steven Smith, supported him during this process.
“The 28-year-old underwent an independent bowling assessment at the National Cricket Centre in Brisbane, where it was found that the degree of elbow extension for all his deliveries fell within the allowable 15-degree tolerance under the ICC Illegal Bowling Regulations,” stated an ICC release.
Despite being able to continue participating in domestic cricket while his action was evaluated, a thumb injury he sustained during the BBL has kept him sidelined since. It remains uncertain whether he will be fit in time for Tasmania’s upcoming Sheffield Shield match against Queensland in Hobart starting March 6.
Last Wednesday, Kuhnemann participated in a session that exceeded one hour, during which he was instructed to bowl at a speed and with revolutions akin to those he used in the second Test in Galle. ICC experts were present to monitor the session as Kuhnemann bowled, equipped with markers on his body, under the observation of multiple high-speed cameras and a 3D motion analysis system.
This marked the first occasion Kuhnemann had been reported for a suspect action in his seven-and-a-half-year professional cricket career. Soon after the report, his Australian teammates showed their support for Kuhnemann. Captain Steven Smith, filling in for Pat Cummins, expressed, “I was a bit surprised. He has been playing for eight years in professional cricket and nothing has been raised during that time.”
“I’m thinking about him right now; he has to go through the process. We are confident he will pass. He will undergo that process back home. We wish him all the best.”