Local Cricket umpires getting tough on bowlers’ illegal action

Bowlers in the local Cricket competition with suspect bowling actions better beware, as the umpires are more vigilant this year.{{more}}

When the National Lotteries Authority Premier Division started last weekend, two bowlers were called for their illegal action.

President of the St Vincent and the Grenadines Cricket Umpires Association Goaland Greaves told SEARCHLIGHT last Tuesday evening that the Laws of Cricket allow umpires to call bowlers with illegal action.

“Nothing is wrong with that, it was a fair and bold step made by the umpires,” Greaves said.

He stated that the actions by the umpires are without any directives of the Executive of the St Vincent and the Grenadines Cricket Association.

Greaves revealed that at his association’s regular meetings, the issue of bowlers’ action in the local competitions has been raised from time to time.

At the international level, the current regulations of the International Cricket Council (ICC) set the legal limit of 15 degrees of permissible straightening of the elbow joint for all bowlers in international cricket.

This law applies between the point at which the bowling arm passes above shoulder height and the point at which the ball is released.

The charge of an illegal action against a bowler is one of the most serious and controversial issues. A bowler with an illegal action cannot dismiss a batsman. This means the player cannot effectively participate in the game, and may not be selected again without significant change to the way he bowls.

Greaves stated: “The St Vincent and the Grenadines Cricket Association must be willing and able to provide opportunities for the bowlers’ remediation of their action.”

Greaves said that such remediation requires video footage analysis and work with bowling coaches, so he is unsure if the local Cricket authorities would be able to meet the former.

At the higher levels of Cricket, bio mechanics analysis is also engaged in the process to determine a bowler’s legal limit.

The issue of illegal bowling action has been a topical one among several members of the Cricket fraternity, especially those who are fixtures at the local competition matches.

This assessment has come from coaches and others who are knowledgeable of the sport.

An illegal bowling action is also referred to as “ throwing”, “pelting”, “stoning”, and “chucking,” among other names. (RT)