Racing
League
Rugby
Cricket
Golf
Motorsport
Combat Sports
Football
Netball
Basketball
Other Sports
Sport Nation
Healy and Whateley react to Kuhnemann being cleared of suspect bowling action by the ICC
Lachlan Geleit • February 27th, 2025 12:57 pm
Australia’s Matthew Kuhnemann has been cleared by the ICC over a suspected illegal bowling action.
Kuhnemann’s action was reported by match officials during the two-Test series of Sri Lanka where he took a series-best 16 wickets, with News Corp reporting that umpire Joel Wilson supported a push to report the left-armers action after the second Test.
While he’s now been cleared after rigorous testing with all of his deliveries within the legal 15-degree level of tolerance, SEN Cricket’s Gerard Whateley hopes that there’s no stigma that follows Kuhnemann for the rest of his professional career.
“Matthew Kuhnemann has cleared through the formal ICC process that's examined his bowling action,” Whateley told SEN Mornings.
“It's a great result, but you are left feeling like it's a wretched process. There's a stigma in being reported as a suspected chucker.
“You can't imagine how distressing it would have been for him. The verdict is in, and it is definitive. The amount of elbow extension for all his deliveries was within the 15-degree level of tolerance permitted under the ICC illegal bowling regulations.
“So, he's free to get on with his bowling. I hope he's clear of any stigma. It's right to feel dreadfully sorry, I think, for Kuhnemann and what he's been subjected to.
“I hope that he feels okay about it, and I hope that he can now bask in what he achieved in Sri Lanka.”
Aussie cricket great Ian Healy is also wary of a tag sticking to Kuhnemann but credited Cricket Australia and the ICC for handling the situation quickly and efficiently.
“If you go to the cricket next year and Kuhnemann comes on to bowl, what are you going to look at?” Healy asked on SENQ Breakfast.
“That's the bit that sticks, everyone will be looking now.
“You're allowed 15-degree straightening. So, your whole arm can be as bent as you like in bowling, but you can't straighten it any more than 15 degrees.
“They’ve handled it very well, it’s been a maximum of two weeks. He can play international cricket again.”
Kuhnemann is now free to continue his international career and will likely earn a place in Australia’s squad for July’s Test tour of the West Indies.
