An eventful week for Matt Kuhnemann has taken a fresh twist, with injury ruling the spinner out of Tasmania’s Sheffield Shield clash with South Australia, starting on Tuesday. The latest development comes just days after the Aussie Test star was cited by ICC officials for having a ‘suspect’ bowling action’, following his heroics in the series win against Sri Lanka.

Kuhnemann was Australia’s leading wicket-taker in Sri Lanka but has a cloud hanging over his head after being reported by match officials for his bowling action during Australia’s two-Test series in Galle. The left-arm off-spinner took 16 wickets at an average of 17.18 in Sri Lanka but the decision to report him and the timing of the move has raised plenty of eyebrows, considering he’s played professional cricket for eight years.

The 28-year-old is now required to undergo a series of biomechanical tests closely monitored by members of the International Cricket Council (ICC), to prove that his bowling action is legal. Kuhnemann had hoped to resume his Sheffield Shield season with Tasmania in the meantime, but has been ruled out due to issues around the dislocated thumb injury he suffered in the BBL, before the Sri Lanka series.

Kuhnemann’s injury was not on his bowling hand, which allowed him to play in both Tests in Galle. But it’s understood the decision to sideline him for Tasmania is a precautionary measure that’s being taken with the spinner. He will still be required to complete the ICC testing in the next fortnight.

It will take place at the National Cricket Centre in Brisbane, despite the ICC preferring players head overseas for assessment. However, Kuhnemann’s tests will be carried out under the watchful eye of ICC body experts, with markers on his arm and several cameras filming the process.

Kuhnemann will need to bowl at a similar speed and with similar ball revolutions to what he did in Sri Lanka, with the ICC then left to determine whether his bowling action is legal or not. In order to get the tick of approval, Kuhnemann will have to show that his arm does not straighten by more than the allowed 15 degrees.

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ICC rules allow bowlers to play domestic cricket while under the microscope, but prohibits them from playing international matches. So the 28-year-old would be able to feature for Tasmania if he wasn’t injured but if he does fail the tests, then he’ll be banned until he can prove he has changed his action to meet the necessary guidelines. Tasmania captain Jordan Silk says the spinner has the full confidence and support of his squad.

Teammates confident Matt Kuhnemann will be cleared

“All we can do as a group is throw our support behind him,” Silk said. “He has obviously had a fantastic couple of weeks away with the Aussie side, and was a big factor in them wining that series over there. It’s come as a shock to a lot of people, but all we can do as an organisation is wrap our arms around him and look forward to having him back around the group.”

The Tasmania skipper echoed the sentiments of Australia’s stand-in Test skipper Steve Smith, by insisting the ICC’s biomechanical tests will clear Kuhnemann of any illegalities. “He’s still a quality bowler for us and someone we expect to have an impact later in the year,” Silk said. “We’re really confident that process will go smoothly and we can welcome him back to our change-rooms and have him be a big part of our season.”

Tasmania will be looking for a win against ladder-leaders South Australia to keep their finals hopes alive, with one win separating second and sixth on the Sheffield Shield table. Their task will be that much more difficult without Kuhnemann, whose Test heroics against Sri Lanka puts him firmly in line for Australia’s Test tour of the West Indies – if his action is cleared.

with AAP