HARARE, Oct 11: The bowling action of England fast bowler James Kirtley has been declared “suspect” by the match referee officiating the England tour of Zimbabwe.

Colonel Naushad Ali of Pakistan has formally reported his views to the England management, the Zimbabwe Cricket Union (ZCU) and the International Cricket Conference (ICC) in London.

The ZCU released a statement confirming Ali’s decision.

“Referee Naushad Ali who officiated in yesterday’s (Wednesday) one-day international match in Bulawayo between Zimbabwe and England has reported fast bowler James Kirtley for a suspect bowling action,” the statement read.

A review of Kirtley’s action, through tests and video replays, will now be made by the ICC and if they agree with Colonel Ali that the action is akin to “throwing” rather than with the arm straight, Kirtley’s cricket career could be under threat. The referee first made his views known to a television reporter a week ago, according to an England squad source, and a story subsequently appeared in a British tabloid newspaper.

ZCU chief executive David Ellman-Brown later told AFP: “This is all a non-issue.”

But Col Ali, after watching Kirtley again in Wednesday’s fourth of five one-day tour matches in Bulawayo, has decided to confirm his first assessment and make an official report.

It is not known whether England will make an immediate challenge by playing Kirtley in the final match Saturday and place the onus on the umpires whether to “call” Kirtley by no-balling him.

Col Ali Sunday disciplined the England captain Nasser Hussain, England wicketkeeper James Foster and Zimbabwe batsman Andrew Flower following a heated argument over whether Flower should have conceded he was caught behind the stumps when on 99.

Hussain, as fielding captain, Foster and Flower were severely reprimanded and warned as to their future conduct.

The Kirtley matter is, however, far more serious.—AFP