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| November 20, 2005 | Sunday | Shawwal 17, 1426 |
Woolmer for review of suspect action process
FAISALABAD, Nov 19: Pakistan coach Bob Woolmer on Saturday called for a review of the International Cricket Council’s (ICC) process for dealing with illegal bowling actions, saying it was not satisfactory.
“I have my views, but it is not a satisfactory process at the moment,” Woolmer told reporters on the eve of the second Test against England.
“I am not criticising the ICC or the process. But we are dealing with people’s lives here and I can’t understand how a bowler who has been cleared by scientists after proper tests can be called again by umpires,” he said.
His comments came two days after Pakistani bowlers Shabbir Ahmed and Shoaib Malik were reported for suspect bowling actions.
The duo was reported by on-field umpires Billy Bowden and Simon Taufel, and TV umpire Asad Rauf after the first Test at Multan, which the hosts won by 22 runs on Wednesday.
However, both Shabbir and Malik are permitted to play international cricket pending the outcome of an independent analysis of their bowling action.
“What is happening is that scientists are saying one thing the umpires are saying another thing. Each one of them has a job to do but I feel sorry for the affected bowlers,” the former England player and ex-ICC high performance manager said.
“What I think we need is a clear definition on such bowlers whether they can bowl or can’t bowl again. It is a question of either they have a faulty action or they don’t.”
“In my idea we need a little bit more clarification on the whole process,” he added.
The current ICC process was introduced in March this year, allowing bowlers to straighten their arms at the time of delivery by 15 degrees. It also states that no reported bowler will be permanently cleared.
Any bowler reported twice within two years will be banned for at least 12 months.
Woolmer said it was unfortunate that Shabbir was reported soon after he was cleared by the ICC.
“I am saying it needs a review in that a bowler go to a bio-mechanic laboratory after his action is questioned, spend time there to get cleared, comes back to the field and is called immediately,” said Woolmer.
Woolmer said there was a need for coaches, scientists and umpires to come together and find common ground on how to deal with such bowlers.
“We are dealing with peoples lives. Shabbir and Shoaib have both undergone tests and have been cleared by scientists and have been called again. They are puzzled themselves. They say either clear us or don’t clear us.”
The 29-year-old Shabbir, reported after the first Test against the West Indies in May this year, was suspended after he was found straightening his arm by 27 degrees.
The ICC subsequently suspended him from bowling in July.
Shabbir underwent biomechanical tests in Australia before he was cleared last month. He faces a one-year ban if another analysis finds him transgressing the allowed limits.
“After being cleared last month Shabbir has to go to the lab again. It is unfortunate and a blow,” said Woolmer.
“Shabbir gives us the balance with different types of angel of his delivery. I think tall bowlers are successful like Glenn McGrath, Andrew Flintoff, Steve Harmison, just to name a few.”
Pakistan have been hit hard by the rules, with Ahmed reported four times, Shoaib Akhtar (thrice), Malik (thrice), Shahid Afridi (once) and Mohammad Hafeez (once).—Agencies
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