Brian Vitori faces ICC scrutiny over illegal action

Brian Vitori, the Zimbabwe fast bowler has been reported for suspect bowling during the country’s T20 fixture against Bangladesh in Khulna. The match was won by Zimbabwe by 31 runs. The match officials submitted a report claiming that Vitori’s bowling action was illegal. The left arm bowler is yet to claim a single wicket in the series, besides being the most expensive Zimbabwean bowler.

Vitori’s place in the side was already in doubt for the final T20I and the fact that his bowling action has been found illegal will probably make the selectors bench him in the final game of the 4 match series.

An ICC media release said, “Vitori’s bowling action will now be scrutinised further under the ICC process relating to suspected illegal bowling actions reported in Tests, ODIs and T20Is. He is required to undergo testing within 14 days, and, during this period, Vitori is permitted to continue bowling in international cricket until the results of the testing are known.”

Vitori will have to undergo a test on his action at an ICC-accredited centre within 14 days but can continue bowling in international cricket until the results are out. Vitori has played four Tests, 19 ODIs and 11 T20s for Zimbabwe after making his international debut against Bangladesh in August 2011 at Harare sports club.

Netherlands seamer Ahsan Malik, who had been alleged for suspect bowling by the ICC last year has been cleared by the international cricket governing body after the bowler took a retest.

"Since being reported in July during last year's ICC World Twenty20 Qualifier, Ahsan had remodelled his bowling action, prior to applying to have his action re-tested," the ICC said in another press release. "The result shows that the level of elbow extension measured for all deliveries bowled was now within the 15-degree level of tolerance permitted under the ICC regulations."

The ICC release also said, “The umpires are still at liberty to report Malik in the future if they believe the bowler is displaying a suspect action and not reproducing the legal action that was analysed during the re-test. To assist in comparing the action used in the lab to the action used in upcoming matches, umpires have been provided with images and video footage of the remodelled legal action of the bowler.”