Sri Lankan fast bowler reported for suspect action

Suresh Perera, the Sri Lanka fast-medium bowler, has been reported for a suspect bowling action by umpire Steve Bucknor to International Cricket Council (ICC) match referee Cammie Smith, according to a Sri Lanka cricket board release on Saturday.

Perera, a right-arm bowler playing in only his second Test, sent down 12 overs in the Indian first innings, but did not take a wicket. He was not used by skipper Sanath Jayasuriya in the second innings.

He is the third Sri Lankan bowler to be reported for a suspect bowling action in the past six years. Spinners Muttiah Muralitharan and Kumar Dharmasena were the others. Both of them were later cleared by the ICC and continue to play international cricket.

This is not the first time that Perera has been reported by an umpire for having a suspect action. Two years ago umpire Asoka de Silva, who also stood in the First Test, reported Perera to the Sri Lankan cricket board after a domestic match between Sinhalese Sports Club and Sebastianites.

Perera, however, has been retained in the unchanged 16-member squad for the Second Test against India starting at Asgiriya International Stadium, Kandy on August 22.

According to the revised three-stage process adopted by the ICC for bowlers with suspect actions, the ICC will now acquire detailed video footage of Perera during the First Test and send to the Sri Lankan board, who are required to conduct an assessment of Perera's action within a six-week period. The BCCSL's bowling advisors will review this report and work with Perera to make any necessary changes.

If Perera's action is reported again within 12-months then there is a stage two review process, which will involve an ICC advisor working directly with Perera. If he is reported for a third time, within the same 12-month period, the the ICC will appoint a Bowling Review Group to conduct a hearing and make a judgment on the action's legality.