Debutant Prenelan Subrayen reported for suspected bowling action during 1st ODI against Australia

South African spinner Prenelan Subrayen has been reported for a suspected bowling action during the first ODI against Australia in Cairns on Tuesday, August 19. Subrayen, who made his debut in the ODI series opener, will have to undergo an independent assessment of his bowling action at an ICC Accredited Testing facility after the match officials reported concerns regarding the legality of his action.

Subrayen will have to get his action assessed in 14 days, but until then, he will be allowed to play and bowl. The 31-year-old took one wicket in his 10-over spell, an important one of Travis Head on his debut, while conceding 46 runs on a wicket, which was helping the slower bowlers as his spin partner Keshav Maharaj knocked five Australian batters down.

As per ICC rules, the bowlers are permitted 15 degrees of elbow extension while delivering the ball. A decision on the legality of his action will be known only after the test results. However, this is not the first time that Subrayen’s action has come under scrutiny. Subrayen was placed under rehabilitation in 2012 by Cricket South Africa (CSA), following his action being deemed illegal after two separate tests.

Subrayen under scrutiny not for the first time

Subrayen underwent remedial work and, on testing again, was cleared to bowl in January 2013. The off-spinner came under scrutiny yet again during the Champions League T20 in 2014 in India and against in 2015 in a domestic game in South Africa. Subrayen was suspended from bowling and failed the reassessment again in 2016, before his action was eventually cleared in the very same year. Since 2016, however, Subrayen hasn’t faced many problems with the remodelled action.

Subrayen is expected to feature in the second ODI on Friday, August 22, in Mackay, as South Africa look to seal the series having taken a 1-0 lead.