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Former Australian internationals hit out at the allegations against Kuhnemann, who is under the scanner over the legality of his bowling action, citing that the spinner has been around the circuit for a long while now and alterations to his natural pattern of bowling could…Read More
Matt Kuhnemann. (X)
Australian spinner Matt Kuhnemann has come under the scanner for suspect bowling action following his incredible showing against Sri Lanka in the Aussies’ 2-0 Test win over the Lankan Lions. The 28-year-old spinner from Queensland scaled 16 wickets in the series against the touring Lankan side, but will now have to undergo independent testing, most likely at the ICC-verified centre in Brisbane over the legality of his bowling action.
Former Australian international Steve O’Keefe hit out at the allegations against Kuhnemann citing that the spinner has been around the circuit for a long while now and alterations to his natural pattern of bowling could prove detrimental.
“He’s played over 100 professional games of cricket in front of match referees in the Big Bash and first-class cricket. He would have trained in front of coaches who would have seen his development over the years,” O’Keefe said to Fox Sports.
I think it might be hyperextension, and I don’t think he’ll have any issues. In this situation, it can be quite detrimental to the player and the welfare of Matt after a great series in Sri Lanka, he now has to go through this process which is horrible,” he added.
“It’s really cold, you’re on your own, they don’t talk to you, they tape you up and then they test you with these degrees of action. In my opinion, the system has failed and let him down, but I do believe there will be nothing to see here for Matt Kuhnemann … I think he’ll be okay,” O’Keefe stated.
Queensland coach and former South African international Johan Botha, who has encountered his share of allegations over his bowling action during his time as a player highlighted the blemish such accusations and the following process leave on a player’s record.
“It is a long process and unfortunately either way if you get cleared or not it will always be there. “Guys think it’s a one-off and you get rid of it. That is not how it is. It is a bit of a process,” Botha told SEN Sports.
“For now he will have to bowl at a very similar speed and revolutions as he did in the Tests. Nothing gets changed now. He needs to try and prove himself not guilty and from there on if it is a ball or so over 15 degrees he will obviously have some work to do, then a long process starts,” he continued.
“It never goes away because there is always someone in the crowd, someone in the opposition, or a match referee who wants to have a say or wants to feel a part of it,” Botha added.
Former Aussie spinner Xavier Doherty questioned the timing of the allegations as reports suggest that multiple Sri Lankan batters threw doubts over Kuhnemann’s action and the match officials flagged the spinner following the conclusion of the second Test.
“He’s been to India which is a massive tour with huge media interest. He’s been cleared there. He’s come to Sri Lanka, he’s taken a lot of wickets … which generally goes with the territory of people criticising or calling out your action,” Doherty said while speaking to ABC Sports.
“The timing is the big question mark for me. What have these guys [the match officials] seen now that we have to have a look at?,” the former spinner concluded.