Cricketers Banned For Illegal Bowling Action

Cricketers Banned For Illegal Bowling Action: Every bowler’s bowling action is unique, with its individuality; the rules are also to be followed while delivering the ball. There are certain conditions for considering a delivery legal. These requirements are set by ICC and are mandatory to be followed, no matter what the bowling action is and where the bowler is from.

South Africa’s Prenelan Subrayen was reported for an illegal action in an ODI against Australia. He will have to undergo testing at the National Cricket Centre in Brisbane, the same place where suspended Matt Kuhnemann was tested and then cleared.

Conditions set by ICC for a legal delivery

The ICC allows a maximum of 15° of elbow extension from the point where the bowling arm is at the horizontal to the point of release.
If a bowler arches their arm more than 15°, it is considered throwing, which is illegal.

List of bowlers banned for illegal bowling action

1. Prenelan Subrayen – South Africa, 2025

First-class wickets: 237
Verdict: Reported and undergoing testing

The right-arm off-spinner was reported illegal for his recent bowling action in the South Africa vs Australia ODI. He is required to undergo testing in Brisbane within 14 days or could face suspension.

2. Matthew Kuhnemann – Australia, 2025

Cricketers Banned For Illegal Bowling Action — (Credits-ESPN)

First-class wickets: 103

Verdict: Suspended and cleared

This left arm spinner from Australia was reported suspicious for an illegal action during the series with Sri Lanka where Australia got a dominant win. He underwent testing in Brisbane, where his elbow extension was deemed legal.

3. Shakib Al Hasan – Bangladesh, 2024

First-class wickets: 355
Verdict: Suspended and cleared

One of the greatest all-rounder of all time from Bangladesh, bowls a left-arm off spin was reported during his match for Surrey cricket club. ICC deemed his action illegal, and the ECB suspended him before remodeling his action.

4. Chris Green – Australia, 2020

First-class wickets: 45
Verdict: 90 day ban

5. Sunil Narine – West Indies, 2018

First-class wickets: 65
Verdict: Suspended twice and cleared

The multi-talented off-spinner of West Indies cricket team was suspected for his bowling in PSL during the 2015 season. The ICC suspended his off-break deliveries and He remodeled it. Now it has since been cleared, but was tested again in 2018 due to recurring concerns in franchise competition.

6. Akila Dananjaya – Sri Lanka, 2018

First-class wickets: 343
Verdict: 12 month ban

The Sri-Lankan was reported twice in as many years, having initially been suspended in December. A 12-month ban was enforced after failing a second action test.

7. Taskin Ahmed – Bangladesh, 2016

First-class wickets: 121
Verdict: Suspended and cleared

Reported during the ICC World T20 World Cup, Ahmed was found to have violated the elbow extension limit and was suspended from bowling. He later returned after a biomechanical test deemed his action legal.

8. Arafat Sunny – Bangladesh, 2016

First-class wickets: 317
Verdict: Suspended and cleared

Reported alongside Ahmed in the same 2016 event and also suspended. Sunny completed remodelling work and was soon cleared to return by the testing authorities.

9. Saeed Ajmal – Pakistan, 2014

First-class wickets: 578
Verdict: 12 month ban

Ajmal was cleared at the height of his career after success with Pakistan and Worcestershire in all formats. He was found to have exceeded the 15° elbow extension limit while bowling his deadly doosra. The ICC banned him for 12 months, allowing him to return after remodelling tests.

10. Sachithra Senanayake – Sri Lanka, 2014

First-class wickets: 537
Verdict: Suspended and cleared

Suspended for an illegal action during a tour of England, tests found his front-on action illegal. He was suspended but returned later that year after remodelling tests.

11. Prosper Utseya – Zimbabwe, 2014

First-class wickets: 217
Verdict: Suspended and cleared

Utseya was suspended during a home series in Zimbabwe. He quickly changed his action and was cleared to resume international bowling almost immediately.

12. Sohag Gazi – Bangladesh, 2014

First-class wickets: 379
Verdict: Suspended and cleared

Gazi’s report came mid-series with biomechanical tests deeming his elbow flexion exceeded the legal 15°. He was suspended by the ICC but returned after remodelling his action to be legal.

13. Marlon Samuels – West Indies, 2013

First-class wickets: 71
Verdict: 12 month ban

The West Indian was reported twice in 2013 with concerns over the illegality in the flexion of his quicker delivery. The ICC imposed a 12-month ban but allowed him to continue bowling off-spin.

14. Shane Shillingford – West Indies, 2013-2019

First-class wickets: 587
Verdict: Banned from bowling domestically

Shillingford was reported again for the same issue and the ICC again suspended the West Indian. He wasn’t allowed to bowl again until his action met reassessment compliance and was banned from bowling in domestic matches in 2019.

15. Shane Shillingford – West Indies, 2010

First-class wickets: 587
Verdict: Six month suspension

First suspended in December 2010 after biomechanical tests highlighted illegal extension beyond 15°. He returned six months later after reassessment.

16. Abdur Razzak – Bangladesh, 2008

First-class wickets: 634
Verdict: Six month suspension

Reported for an illegal action, with biomechanical testing showing a highly illegal 22-28° elbow flexion. He was suspended for six months and allowed to continue bowling after remodelling.

17. Johan Botha – South Africa, 2006

First-class wickets: 220
Verdict: Doosra banned permanently

Botha was reported for an illegal action and later cleared after further assessments. However, his doosra remained banned due to persistent reports.

18. James Kirtley – England, 2005

First-class wickets: 614
Verdict: Suspended and cleared

Banned by the ECB as they deemed his action illegal. He made efforts to immediately resolve illegalities in his action and returned to international cricket.

19. Shabbir Ahmed – Pakistan, 2005

First-class wickets: 167
Verdict: 12 month ban

Ahmed was reported multiple times in 2005 and this culminated in a 12-month ban. After serving his ban, he remodeled his action and was cleared to bowl domestically.

20. Grant Flower – Zimbabwe, 2000