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Murali could be banned for one year if reported again!

Sri Lanka off spinner Muttiah Muralitharan could face a suspension of 1 year from International cricket if he is reported again for a suspect bowling action by an ICC official within a 12 month period.

According to the ICC review process for bowlers with suspected and illegal bowling actions, once a player is reported he has to go through a two stage process. The stage one process requires a report to be submitted within six weeks. During this period the player cannot be reported, however if reported after this period and within 12 months the player has to go through the stage two process. During this process (stage 2) the ICC bowling review group is called upon to vote on the legality of the bowlers action. If the Bowling Review Group decides by a simple majority vote that the player is guilty of breaching Law 24.2 he shall be banned from bowling in international cricket for a period of one year.

This is what the law 24.2 states with regard to the definition of a fair delivery.
A ball is fairly delivered in respect of the arm if, once the bowlers arm has reached the level of the shoulder in the delivery swing, the elbow joint is not straightened partially or completely from that point until the ball has left the hand. This definition shall not debar a bowler from flexing or rotating the wrist in the delivery swing.

As Chris Broad is expected to be the match referee during Sri Lanka’s tour to Australia in June, the Lankan off spinner could be reported for the second time within 12 months. Thus, initiating the stage two process which could lead to a suspension of the player for one year.

Details of the review process are as follows:

The home Board shall instruct their bowling advisors working with a human movement specialist appointed by the home Board from the ICC panel of specialists to review the report and work with the player to correct his action.

The home Board advisors, together with the human movement specialist, will complete an assessment of the bowler's action in accordance with the ICC's Standard Analysis Protocols, and submit a written assessment including relevant video footage to the ICC within six weeks from the date of receipt by the home Board of the report. Any video footage taken by the home Board shall also be submitted with the assessment. The home Board shall provide its player with a copy of the assessment and any video evidence.

Throughout this period the player will be permitted to continue playing. At any time throughout this period the player is subject to being called on the field by the umpire in terms of Law 24 and the consequences of such Law must apply. However for the purposes of this procedure a second report may not be made until expiry of the six-week period.

A summary of the home Board's assessment will be circulated to the Emirates Elite Panel of ICC Umpires and Referees, within 14 days of its receipt by the ICC.

If the player is reported a second time the reporting procedure above will apply and in addition the Bowling Review Group will meet and hold a hearing to determine the legality of the player's bowling action.

The hearing will be held as soon as reasonably possible, but at least within 28 days of receipt of a second report.

The ICC shall be responsible for determining the time and place for the hearing and shall ensure that the player, through the player's home board is given reasonable notice of the time and place of the hearing.

Throughout the period after the second report, and before the hearing, the player will be permitted to continue playing. At any time throughout this period the player is subject to being called on the field by the umpire in terms of Law 24 and the consequences of such Law must apply.

The player will attend the hearing. However, if the player has received notice of the hearing and fails to attend the hearing, the hearing may, at the absolute discretion of the chairman of the Bowling Review Group, proceed in the absence of the player.

The player shall be entitled to a representative who shall be entitled to attend the hearing. The Bowling Review Group will consider the following:

· the video evidence obtained from reports one and two.

· the relevant umpires' or referees written reports.

· the home Board advisors' assessment together with any video evidence accompanying such assessment.

· any further evidence that the player and/or his representative wishes to put forward in his own defence. This can include a written report, a verbal submission, any expert evidence and video evidence.

· any written or video evidence that the player's home Board wishes to be considered on behalf of its player.

The player and/or his representative shall be entitled to question any member of the Bowling Review Group and/or any person called to give evidence in the course of the hearing on any issue relevant to the hearing. The members of the Bowling Review group shall be entitled to question the player and/or any person called to give evidence on the player's behalf. After all the evidence and argument has been presented, the player and his representative will be asked to leave the hearing.

The Bowling Review Group will then reach a decision by taking a formal vote. If the Bowling Review Group shall decide by simple majority vote that the player is guilty of breaching Law 24.2 he shall be banned from bowling in international cricket for a period of 12 months from the date of the finding, or until such time as the player has rectified his action to the satisfaction of the Bowling Review Group. The ICC will communicate the decision of the Bowling Review Group in writing to the player's home Board immediately after the hearing.

- MF

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