If you thought the utter trouncing the West Indian Cricket Team suffered at the hands of Australia in Hobart last week was the worst of the side’s troubles, in the immortal nu-metally words of Superheist: “things have gone from bad to worse.”
The dust had barely settled on their innings-plus annihilation in the first match of their three test series when news came down this morning that veteran player Marlon Samuels has been handed a 12-month ban from bowling in international cricket by the ICC.
The ban surrounds a suspect bowling action, and is the third time Samuels has run into this kind of trouble during his career.
Samuels’ action was tested in Brisbane earlier in December after officials raised their concerns over Samuels action – specifically when he delivers his faster-paced variant delivery.
Subsequent scientific assessment determined that Samuels bends his elbow and then straightens it beyond the 15 degree allowance, therefore making his action illegal.
Because it was his second offence for the same transgression, he now faces an automatic 12-month ban from bowling in international cricket.
The much maligned 34-year-old all-rounder was already being savaged by media critics for his apparent lack of effort during the West Indian demolition derby in Hobart – with Samuels registering scores of just 9 and 3 in the game.
Samuels did not bowl in the game, but it’s likely – had he not been handed the ban – that he would’ve been used heavily during the upcoming World Twenty20 tournament in March – a format of the game in which the West Indies are current world champions.
As it stands, Samuels test future is now in serious limbo, with the West Indian controlling body likely to make a few tough selection calls ahead of the traditional Boxing Day test in Melbourne.
Photo: Ryan Pierse/Getty Images.
Source: SMH.
