Brisbane Heat coach Darren Lehmann has been charged with breaching Cricket Australia's Code of Behaviour when he questioned the legitimacy of Marlon Samuels' bowling action after his side's loss to the Melbourne Renegades at Etihad Stadium.
Lehmann is charged with breaching Rule 9 of CA's code which states that
that a player or official must not "denigrate or criticise another
player or denigrate or criticise an official, umpire, referee or team
against which they have played or will play, whether in relation to
incidents which occurred in a match or otherwise; denigrate or criticise
another player or official by inappropriately commenting on any aspect
of his or her performance, abilities or characteristics."
Samuels delivered four overs for just 18 runs in the Renegades win. He
has the fourth-best economy rate of any bowler with 12 overs or more in
this year's Big Bash League to date. "I've spoken to the umpires about
it," Lehmann said after the game. "I just want something done.
"He couldn't bowl in the IPL (Indian Premier League) last year, yet he
can bowl in the BBL.
"We've got to seriously look at what we're doing. Are we here to play
cricket properly or what?
"If he's deemed legal, I'm totally understanding of that. But from my
point of view from 20 years' of cricket, I've got a problem with 120km/h
off no steps."
Samuels was reported
for a suspect action in the IPL in April by on-field umpires, Aleem Dar
and Bruce Oxenford, and the third umpire Vineet Kulkarni while playing
for the Pune Warriors against the Chennai Super Kings.
It was not the first time Samuels had problems with his action. He was
reported for a suspect action in the third Test between South Africa and
West Indies in Durban in January 2008. On field umpires Simon Taufel
and Aleem Dar and third umpire Brian Jerling reported their doubts over
his action, especially with respect to his "fast" deliveries. Roshan
Mahanama, the match referee, subsequently informed both the ICC and the
West Indies team management of the report, as per the ICC regulations
governing the reporting process.
In September 2011 the ICC cleared
Samuels' action after an independent test found his action to be legal.
Cricket Australia did state out its policy on suspect actions, saying,
"CA has a Doubtful Bowling Action Procedure and according to this
policy, any bowler mentioned by three different umpires in the same
season is reported. Umpires also have the option to bypass the mentions
process and lodge a report directly if they feel it is warranted."
Lehmann's breach of CA's Code of Behaviour is now placed before a
Commissioner for a hearing. CA said the date and time of the hearing is
yet to be determined. It is not the first time Lehmann has found himself
in trouble with cricket authorities. Whilst playing for Australia in
January 2003 he was suspended for five One-day Internationals for
breaching the ICC's racial vilification code.
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