West Indies’ Marlon Samuels has been suspended from bowling in international cricket because of a suspect action.  He has been told his arm straightens by more than the permitted 15 degrees when he bowls both his regular off-breaks and faster deliveries. Independent analysis of Samuels’ bowling was performed by Dr Mark King at the National Cricket Academy at Loughborough University.

Samuels, who can continue to play as a batsman, has the right of appeal.

King’s analysis revealed the Jamaican straightened his elbow by an average of 27 degrees when bowling off-breaks, and by approximately 35 degrees with his faster deliveries.

Prior to the tests, only his fast deliveries were reported as suspect.  Samuels, primarily a batsman, was reported by umpires Simon Taufel and Aleem Dar in January.

Their suspicions were raised when they watched him bowl during the third Test against South Africa in Durban.

He has taken just seven Test wickets as an off-spinner at an expensive average of 127.

But in one-day cricket, he often bowls his full 10 overs and can be effective in slowing down an opposition team’s scoring rate.

The 27-year-old got through more overs than usual in Durban because of an injury to captain Chris Gayle.

He can apply for re-assessment of his bowling action after he has satisfied the ICC that he has modified it. .