Bird reported for suspect bowling action

Aaron Bird, the New South Wales fast bowler, has been reported for a dubious bowling action and faces a ban from state cricket unless tests prove his action is legal. Bird will be analysed by the Australian Institute of Sport biomechanics laboratory in Canberra, however he is still eligible to play for his state until the results of the testing are known.

The umpires Dave Orchard and Terry Keel raised questions about Bird after the Ford Ranger Cup match against Victoria on Sunday. He had already been mentioned by the umpires Steve Davis and Norm McNamara in a one-day game against Queensland in October and under Cricket Australia's rules that means Bird must be reported.

Just hours before the announcement, Cricket New South Wales dropped Bird for next week's FR Cup game against Victoria at Melbourne. The New South Wales spokesman Daniel McDougall said that decision was based on form alone - Bird bowled nine overs for 68 in his last match - and the fast bowler would play for the New South Wales Second XI next week.

"Cricket New South Wales supports Bird as a contracted player and will work with him through this process," McDougall said. If Bird is found to have an illegal action, he will be suspended from state matches until he can prove he bowls legally. Bird has played six one-day games for New South Wales this season but has not added to his tally of four Pura Cup matches in 2005-06.