ICC appoints Michael Holding as bowling advisor to Akhtar

Michael Holding, one of international cricket's greatest fast bowlers, is to work with Pakistan paceman Shoaib Akhtar on problems with his action.

Holding played in 60 Test matches for the West Indies, taking 249 wickets during 11 years as an international cricketer. Widely regarded throughout the game for the purity of his action, he has now been appointed as a specialist bowling advisor by the ICC.

"I am delighted that Michael has agreed to work with the ICC and Shoaib Akhtar in this important area," said ICC Chief Executive Officer Malcolm Speed. "His outstanding record as a player and the excellent communications skills he brings to his work in the media make him perfectly suited to the role. "The three stage system introduced by the ICC at the beginning of the year now gives all bowlers identified as having suspect actions, every opportunity to rectify problems and remain in the game while they are doing so," he added.

Shoaib was reported by ICC match officials during the recently concluded Khaleej Times Trophy tournament in Sharjah. He is now in stage two of the ICC process for dealing with bowlers with suspect actions. This will involve him working with Michael Holding over the next three months to analyse concerns raised and undergo any recommended remodelling of his action.

A detailed assessment of Akhtar's action, and any remedial work undertaken, will be submitted to the ICC and the Pakistan Cricket Board by 7th February 2002. The content and conclusions of this report will be made public.

During this period Shoaib Akhtar can continue to play international cricket.

Media note: under the ICC process, a third report in 12 months would activate the ICC Bowling Review Group. This would meet with the bowler and his representatives to discuss the previous two assessment reports, video footage and any further evidence supplied by the player or his Board. If a majority of the Group decide the bowler has a consistently illegal action he would be banned from playing international cricket for 12 months from the date of the hearing.