New Zealand captain Kane Williamson and Sri Lanka bowler Akila Dananjaya have both been reported with a suspect bowling action following the first Test between Sri Lanka and New Zealand in Galle. The International Cricket Council (ICC) confirmed the news on Tuesday through a press release.
The match officials’ report, which was handed over to the management of both teams, cited concerns about the legality of the bowling actions of both players. Both Williamson and Dananjaya will now undergo testing within 14 days from the reporting date (18 August). Both will be permitted to continue bowling in international cricket until the results of the testing are known.
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The development will be a huge blow for Dananjaya whose action had come under scanner in the past too. Earlier this year in February, the Sri Lanka spinner has had his bowling action cleared by the ICC. Dananjaya’s action had been reported during England’s tour of Sri Lanka late last year. He was then officially banned from bowling in international cricket in December after an independent biomechanics assessment found that he was flexing his arm beyond the allowed 15-degree limit when bowling the offbreak.
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After working on his action, Dananjaya was tested in Chennai and the results declared his bowling action to be legal. In case, his action is found illegal again, he will have to undergo the same process again.
The off-spinner recently starred for Sri Lanka in their thumping win over New Zealand in the first Test. He ran through New Zealand’s top-order in the first innings, picking up five wickets to lay the foundation for the win. He picked up just one wicket in the second innings but it did not hurt his team’s chances much as they won the game by six wickets.
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The second match of the series will start on August 22. Dananjaya will be able to bowl in the match if he gets a chance in the playing eleven.
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