In a significant development following Australia’s 2-0 Test series victory over Sri Lanka, left-arm spinner Matthew Kuhnemann has been reported for a suspect bowling action. The 27-year-old, who emerged as the leading wicket-taker in the series with an impressive 16 wickets across two matches, now faces a crucial review process that could impact his international career.

According to International Cricket Council (ICC) regulations, Kuhnemann must undergo mandatory biomechanical testing within three weeks to determine whether his bowling action complies with the 15-degree elbow flex limit permitted by the ICC. Until his action is cleared, he will be ineligible to bowl in international cricket, though he may still be allowed to participate in domestic tournaments such as the Sheffield Shield.

The development has raised concerns for Cricket Australia (CA), which has pledged full support to Kuhnemann as he navigates the assessment process.

Following the official report from match officials after the second Test in Galle, Cricket Australia issued a statement confirming their awareness of the situation and commitment to assisting Kuhnemann.

“The Australian team was notified of the match officials’ referral following the second Test against Sri Lanka in Galle and will support Matt through the process of clearing this matter,” a Cricket Australia spokesperson stated.

The statement further highlighted that Kuhnemann, who has played 124 professional matches since his debut in 2017, had never faced scrutiny over his action before:

“Matt has played 124 professional matches since his debut in 2017, including five Test matches and four One-Day Internationals. He has played 55 Big Bash League games since 2018. This is the first time in those eight years of professional cricket that his action has been questioned.”

CA also confirmed that it would work closely with the ICC and independent biomechanical experts to ensure Kuhnemann’s case is handled in compliance with ICC regulations. Until the matter is resolved, both Cricket Australia and Kuhnemann have decided to refrain from making further public statements.

Kuhnemann will now undergo detailed biomechanical analysis at an ICC-accredited facility within 21 days. The process will involve:

If the assessment confirms that his action remains within the 15-degree flex threshold, he will be cleared to resume bowling in international cricket. However, if his action exceeds the permissible limit, Kuhnemann will be required to undergo corrective training before undergoing a second round of testing.

The scrutiny of Kuhnemann’s action presents a challenge for Australia’s spin department, particularly in subcontinental conditions where slow bowlers play a pivotal role.

With Nathan Lyon remaining Australia’s premier off-spinner, Kuhnemann had provided a valuable left-arm variation, particularly in Sri Lanka’s spin-friendly conditions. Should he be sidelined for an extended period, Todd Murphy and Ashton Agar could emerge as potential replacements in future assignments.

While Kuhnemann’s accuracy and flight variations made him a key asset in Australia’s dominant performance in Sri Lanka, his immediate future now hinges on the outcome of the ICC’s testing.

Kuhnemann joins a list of spinners who have faced suspect action reports in the past. Several high-profile bowlers, including Muttiah Muralitharan, Saeed Ajmal, and Sunil Narine, have undergone biomechanical testing to evaluate the legality of their actions.

• Muttiah Muralitharan, Sri Lanka’s legendary off-spinner, was infamously called for throwing in 1995 and 1999, but biomechanical testing later cleared his action.
• Saeed Ajmal, Pakistan’s off-spinner, was suspended in 2014, requiring a significant modification to his action before he could return to competitive cricket.
• Sunil Narine, West Indies’ mystery spinner, faced repeated scrutiny but successfully modified his action to regain bowling eligibility.

While some bowlers have successfully adapted, others have struggled to maintain their effectiveness after technical modifications. Kuhnemann’s case will be closely monitored to see if his action requires adjustments.

Former Australian cricketers and analysts have weighed in on the situation, with some expressing surprise at the timing of the report. Given that Kuhnemann has played extensively in domestic and international cricket without prior complaints, questions have been raised regarding what led match officials to suspect his action now.

Cricket analysts believe that if his action is deemed illegal, Kuhnemann will face a crucial period of technical adjustments. However, if cleared, he could continue his rise as a key component of Australia’s spin attack, particularly in overseas conditions.

With Australia set to play major Test series in India and England in the coming months, the verdict on Kuhnemann’s action could significantly impact squad selection and team strategy.

If Kuhnemann’s bowling action is deemed to exceed the ICC’s 15-degree flex limit, the consequences could be severe:

A potential suspension would be a significant blow to Kuhnemann’s career, but with proper coaching and remedial adjustments, he could return to international cricket—similar to what Narine and Ajmal managed in the past.