Dubai - Sri Lanka fast bowler Shaminda Eranga has been reported for a suspect
bowling action, the International Cricket Council said on Tuesday, adding
to their woes after they lost the Test series to England.
Concerns
about the 29-year-old's action emerged during the second Test at the
Riverside, where England beat Sri Lanka by nine wickets inside four days
on Monday to go 2-0 up in the three-match series.
A statement
from the ICC, cricket's global governing body, said: "The match
officials' report, which was handed over to the Sri Lanka team
management, cited concerns about the legality of the 29-year-old's
bowling action."
Eranga opened Sri Lanka's bowling in the first
innings at the Riverside, returning figures of none for 100 in 27 overs
during the hosts' 498 for nine declared.
The right-armer then bowled just one over in England's second innings as they chased down a target of 79 for victory.
Under
ICC regulations, Eranga is now required to undergo testing on his
action within the next 14 days, but will be allowed to continue playing
until the test results are known.
Eranga could be available for
the third Test at Lord's starting on June 9. But if his action is deemed
illegal, he could miss part of the subsequent limited-overs section of
Sri Lanka's tour.
Eranga has taken 53 wickets in 18 Tests at an average of nearly 38 since making his debut in 2011.
Bowlers
are meant to keep their arms as straight as possible in delivery so
that the ball is 'bowled' rather than thrown towards the batsman.
The
ICC define an illegal bowling action as one in which the bowler's
"elbow extension" exceeds 15 degrees while he is in his delivery stride.
They set the 15-degree limit for all bowlers in November 2004
after research showed no bowler's arm remained perfectly straight in
delivery.