LONDON, Nov 20: The saga of England One-day International seamer James Kirtley’s bowling action saw his national board promise Monday to “work” on various issues with the Sussex paceman.

Doubts were once again raised about the fairness of his delivery during England’s one-day series in Zimbabwe this October — Kirtley’s first taste of senior international cricket.

The question marks over his action prompted the England and Wales Cricket Board (ECB) to acknowledge that the player needed to undergo further work over the next four months.

That may come as something of a suprise to Kirtley whose action was previously questioned after an England ‘A’ tour to Australia in 1999 but was cleared by the ECB after studies at Brighton University.

A statement issued by the ECB Monday said a report, required under stage one of the International Cricket Council’s (ICC) bowling review procedure, had been sent to world cricket’s governing body.

The statement said: “The report contains sophisticated scientific analysis of James’ action and it has identified issues which he will work on over the next four months with the assistance of (former England seamer) Bob Cottam, ECB’s bowling advisor, and other Sussex CCC and ECB support staff.

“James’ action will be reassessed by the ECB bowling review group before the start of the 2002 season and an updated report will be submitted to ICC.”—AFP