Lawson reported for chucking again

The International Cricket Council (ICC) announced yesterday that Lawson was reported by match officials following completion of the first Test match between Sri Lanka and West Indies at the Sinhalese Sports Club Ground, Colombo on Saturday.

On-field umpires Simon Taufel, Nadeem Ghauri, TV Umpire Peter Manuel and fourth official Ranmore Martinez, made the report.

The 23-year-old completed a match haul of eight for 102 in the game after grabbing four for 43 in Sri Lanka’s second innings but could not prevent the home team from winning by six wickets.

ICC match referee Mike Procter informed both the ICC and the West Indies team management of the report, as per the ICC regulations governing the reporting process.

"The match officials had concerns with potential elbow flexation when viewing the bowler’s action with the naked eye. This assessment has led the team of officials to request the ICC to commission a biomechanical report into the bowler’s action in accordance with the new process introduced earlier this year," said Mr Procter.

The report will be handled under the ICC’s recently revised bowling review process.

Lawson, who has played 11 Test matches, will now undergo independent analysis of his action by a member of the ICC’s panel of human movement specialists.

This will take place as soon as practically possible, and within a maximum period of 21 days from receipt by the West Indies Cricket Board (WICB) of formal notice of the report by the ICC, together with copies of the relevant match tapes, the ICC stated.

The ICC added that within 14 days of the independent analysis being carried out, the appointed specialist will supply the ICC with a written report advising the outcome of the bio-mechanical assessment.

This will confirm whether the bowler’s action falls within, or exceeds, the 15 degrees of permitted elbow straightening.

The ICC said yesterday that as soon as it receives the specialist’s independent assessment, a copy will be supplied to the WICB.

Lawson will be free to play international cricket in the meantime.

The Jamaican’s rising career had first been put under the microscope in May 2003 when he was reported by match officials to the ICC for investigation of his bowling action in a West Indies home series against world champions Australia when he captured a career-best first innings seven for 78 in Antigua, that propelled West Indies to an upset win.

West Indies chased a world record 418 runs to win that game after pivotal knocks from Ramnaresh Sarwan (105), Shivnarine Chanderpaul (104), Omari Banks (47 not out) and Vasbert Drakes (27 not out).