Australian left-arm spinner Matt Kuhnemann has been officially cleared to bowl in international cricket after undergoing an independent bowling action assessment. The ICC confirmed that his elbow extension falls within the permissible 15-degree limit, allowing him to continue his career at the highest level.
Why Was Kuhnemann Reported?
Kuhnemann was reported for a suspect action during Australia’s two-Test series in Sri Lanka, where he delivered an outstanding performance, claiming 16 wickets as Australia secured a 2-0 series victory. Despite having never faced such scrutiny in his professional career since debuting in 2017, the concern arose following his remarkable success in Sri Lanka.
ICC’s Testing and Clearance Process
The assessment took place at the National Cricket Centre in Brisbane on February 15. High-speed cameras, 3D motion analysis, and body markers were used to examine his bowling technique. Experts observed the session, ensuring Kuhnemann replicated his match conditions. The final analysis confirmed his action met ICC’s legal bowling regulations.
During this period, Matt Kuhnemann faced multiple challenges. The mental pressure of being reported for a suspect bowling action was undoubtedly stressful for him. Additionally, an injury setback, specifically a dislocated thumb during the Big Bash League (BBL), further complicated his situation by sidelining him from domestic cricket and making his comeback even more difficult.
Support From Team and Officials
Cricket Australia (CA) fully backed Kuhnemann throughout the process. Ben Oliver, CA’s executive general manager of national teams, praised his professionalism and resilience, stating that Kuhnemann had handled the situation “exceptionally well.”
Ben Oliver, CA executive general manager national teams said, “We are pleased for Matt that this matter is now resolved. It has been a challenging period for Matt, however he has carried himself exceptionally well. He has had the full support of Australian cricket and he can now move forward to the next phase of his international career with great confidence.”
Teammates Rally Behind Him
Australian players, including Steven Smith, voiced their support. Smith expressed surprise at the report, emphasizing that Kuhnemann had been playing professional cricket for eight years without any concerns about his action.
Kuhnemann’s Career and Future Prospects
Matt Kuhnemann has had an impressive performance in Test cricket so far, playing 5 matches and taking 25 wickets at an average of 22.20. His fitness for Queensland’s next match against Tasmania (March 6) remains uncertain. Kuhnemann is a strong candidate for Australia’s squad for the June-July Test series in the Caribbean.
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