DUBAI // The Emirates Cricket Board (ECB) is taking the initiative in the battle to combat illegal bowling actions, as it prepares to send two national team players to India for biomechanics examinations.
Shadeep Silva and Salman Farooq are scheduled to fly to the new ICC-accredited laboratory in Chennai this week for testing on their bowling.
Shadeep, the long-serving left-arm spinner, was reported by officials at the World Twenty20 qualifier in the UAE last year for suspicions he may straighten his arm by more than the permitted 15 degrees when bowling.
Farooq, though, has never been officially reported, having played all his recent cricket on the domestic circuit, away from the gaze of international officials.
The 32-year-old off-spinner has forced his way back into the reckoning for a place in the UAE tour party for next year’s World Cup.
He has been one of the most consistent performers in UAE club cricket and he was on the standby list for the national team’s recent tour to Australia.
The governing body for the sport here want to allay any prevailing doubts over the legality of his bowling action, so he is also being sent to Chennai
“Because of all the off-spinners who have been called in international cricket, [the ECB] just want to be sure,” said Farooq, whose trip to India may be delayed by a hold up in the visa process.
“It is better to be cautious. Thanks to God, I have been performing really well in domestic cricket and have been going to the training camps and trying to improve my fitness.
“I was doing really well, but they wanted me to go [for biomechanics testing] before the World Cup.”
The process may mean Farooq misses the forthcoming one-day international matches against Afghanistan.
That series is one of the last chances for the players to prove themselves before next year’s World Cup squad announcement.
Both Farooq and Shadeep were part of the UAE squad the last time they appeared alongside the Test elite in a major one-day international tournament, at the 2008 Asia Cup in Pakistan.
Shadeep had been in limbo for most of this year as he awaited news of whether he would be sent for testing.
“Now I am going to Chennai for testing and I want to show that my action is clean,” Shadeep said.
“I have been training a little for the past one or two months outside [the UAE set up] and I want to get back playing.”
The UAE’s vigilance, particularly in Farooq’s case, fits with the ICC’s increased focus on suspect bowling actions this year.
In a statement on Monday, the sport’s governing body said it was happy with the proactive policing being applied on the issue.
“The ICC board endorsed and reiterated its support for the ICC’s no-tolerance approach in dealing with suspected illegal bowling actions,” the ICC said.
“It also complimented the members for supporting the process and proactively identifying, and addressing, bowlers with suspected illegal bowling actions at domestic level.”
THE SPIN YARN
The national team used to base their gameplan entirely around spinners, often fielding as many as four specialist slow bowlers in the starting XI. Not any more. Since qualifying for the World Cup, the focus has changed completely, with a battery of pace bowlers now taking the lead. Assuming frontline batsmen like Khurram Khan and Saqib Ali will send down some overs of spin, it is likely players who have been regulars in the side will be fighting over one place at the World Cup.
Nasir Aziz (off-spin)
Pakistani-born magician who was always the leader of the attack. His doosra was ruled illegal at the start of this year, but he has already forced his way back into the side, with a couple of new variations to boot.
Mohammed Tauqir (off-spin)
Only returned to cricket once the UAE qualified for the World Cup, having been all but retired for the past two years. However, he has clearly been working hard to prove his commitment, having lost 8kgs in three months.
Ahmed Raza (slow left-arm)
For so long he has been seen as the next captain-in-waiting for UAE, but has not been a definite starter since the focus changed to a pace attack. Restated his case with four wickets in a win over Pakistan A recently.
Fayyaz Ahmed (slow left-arm)
Probably in direct competition with Raza, the affable resident of Al Ain is currently absent from the UAE’s training camp in Dubai due to a family bereavement. Added dimension provided by powerful late-order batting.
Shadeep Silva (slow left-arm)
A mainstay of the side for the best part of a decade, the Sri Lankan’s future depends on the outcome of testing on his bowling action in India. Was a key man in the old gameplan due to his proficiency with the new ball.
Salman Farooq (off-spin)
The Emirati off-spinner has played irregularly for the national team over the past eight years, but has forced himself back into the reckoning by weight of wickets on the domestic scene. Will also undergo testing.
pradley@thenational.ae
