SL vs NZ | Akila Dananjaya, Kane Williamson reported for suspect bowling action
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Following the first Test between New Zealand and Sri Lanka in Galle, Kane Williamson and Akila Dananjaya have been reported for suspect bowling action. The duo will now have to undergo testing within 14 days from the reporting date i.e August 18 but can continue bowling until the report is out.
Sri Lanka off-spinner Akila Dananjaya, who took a five-fer against New Zealand in the first Test in Galle, has been reported for a suspect bowling action for the second time in ten months, and will now have to undergo a biomechanics assessment in the next 12 days in one of the ICC-accredited laboratories. Unless he passes the test, he will be suspended for a year - the ICC's automatic penalty for bowlers who have twice failed an assessment inside a two-year period.
After undergoing remedial work since his initial suspension in December 2018, Dhananjay had his action cleared early this year. However, that resulted in his effectiveness going down drastically in the limited-overs cricket in the early months following his return and he was thus excluded from Sri Lanka's World Cup squad.
The Galle Test was his first five-day match for him since the suspension, and he impressed in the first innings, taking 5 for 80. Sri Lanka are in a danger now because if the year-long suspension eventuates, it would unsettle Sri Lanka's spin attack as the next six Tests on Sri Lanka's schedule are all due to be played in Asia.
Apart from Dhananjay, Kane Williamson has also been reported. He previously failed a biomechanics assessment back in 2014. Now, in case, he fails the assessment again, he won't be able to bowl for a period of 12 months. Sri Lanka's second Test against New Zealand begins on Thursday and both Dananjaya and Williamson will be allowed to bowl in that game.
