Shaminda Eranga banned from bowling due to illegal action

Sri Lankan pacer Shaminda Eranga has been suspended from bowling in international cricket with immediate effect after his bowling action was deemed illegal in an independent assessment.

In the second Test against England in Chester-le-Street, Eranga was reported by the umpires for a suspect bowling action and he subsequently underwent testing on 6th June at the National Cricket Performance Centre in Loughborough.

Since the International Cricket Council (ICC) allows the bowlers to bowl in international cricket till the results of the assessment are known, Eranga was allowed to take part in the third Test at Lord’s and the One-Day International series against Ireland.

According to a release from the ICC, all of Eranga’s deliveries were found to be exceeding the allowed 15-degree limit of elbow extension.

“The International Cricket Council today announced that an independent assessment has found the bowling action of Sri Lanka’s Shaminda Eranga to be illegal and, as such, the fast bowler has been suspended from bowling in international cricket with immediate effect,” said the ICC release.

“The assessment revealed that all deliveries exceeded the 15-degrees level of tolerance permitted under the regulations.”

Currently, Eranga can only take part in the domestic tournaments organised at home by Sri Lanka Cricket after taking the necessary permission from the board.

However, the 29-year-old will be able to apply for a re-assessment of his bowling action after undergoing remedial work.

Earlier in the day, Eranga was admitted into a hospital in Dublin to undergo tests in order to investigate an elevated heartbeat.

Eranga came out to bat in the Sri Lankan innings against Ireland but did not bowl as he experienced discomfort and was taken to the hospital.

Sri Lankan team manager, Charith Senanayake revealed that Eranga will remain at the hospital until Monday to complete all the medical tests.

“Eranga had an elevated heartbeat prior to the innings commencing and was taken to hospital for tests,” Senanayake told ESPNcricinfo.

“He’s doing good but in hospital till Monday to complete all tests.”

In the recently concluded Test series against Sri Lanka, Eranga took five wickets from three games at an average of 64.80.

© Cricket World 2016