Kirtley's bowling action reported to ICC

England fast bowler James Kirtley has been reported to the International Cricket Council (ICC) for a suspect bowling action.

The referral was made by ICC match referee Colonel Naushad Ali from Pakistan after Wednesday's fourth one-day international in Bulawayo which England won by 70-runs.

Ali had told the media that he was going to scrutinise Kirtley's action after the first match in Harare last week.

But Kirtley, who played in the second game but was rested for the third, believes there is no problem with his action.

"This is a bit frustrating, but it's one person's opinion," Kirtley told a news conference.

"It's something he's following but it's a situation I've been in before and I think I've shown the mental strength in the past and I'll show it again and I'm sure the situation will be resolved."

Ali has informed both the England team management and the England and Wales Cricket Board (ECB) of the referral.

Kirtley, 26, was cleared by an ECB panel in November 2000 after tests at Brighton University following reports in 1999 that he had a suspect action.

"Brighton proved beyond any doubt that my arm is straight and I would have thought nothing has changed in 11 months," said Kirtley.

TAKE HEART

"My mother is a physiotherapist and ever since a young age I've had supple joints and my arm hyper-extends which explains people's doubts about my action.

"Every bowling action is unique and I take heart from other players who have been cleared."

The 26-year-old has taken three wickets in the series against Zimbabwe.

An ICC statement on Thursday said: "The ICC has a clear three-stage process for bowlers reported by umpires or referees.

"James Kirtley has been referred to stage one of the process which means that he can continue to play international and first class cricket."

Kirtley will spend six weeks working with an ECB appointed bowling coach -- in this instance Bob Cottam from Warwickshire.

A detailed report will be compiled and submitted to the ICC by the ECB within the six-week period.

If Kirtley is reported again within the next 12 months then he will have to work with an ICC appointed bowling coach and if that fails he could be banned from competing by a committee.

Five players have been reported for suspect bowling actions under the new ICC regulations since January -- the most high-profile being Pakistan's Shoaib Akhtar.

The process now is about helping the player rather than punishing him, and since its inception, no player has gone beyond the first stage.

FLETCHER SUPPORT

Kirtley is available for selection for the final one-day international in Bulawayo on Sunday and coach Duncan Fletcher said he would not hesitate to play him.

"James' name will be in the hat for selection after practice tomorrow night," Fletcher said.

"Whether he plays or not has got nothing to do with this problem -- why should it be?

"As I said before we're happy with his action and Nasser (Hussain) and I will pick a side which we feel will beat Zimbabwe and give us a 5-0 series win."

England captain Hussain showed his support for Kirtley.

"I'm not here to comment on the match referee," Hussain said. "My main concern is James. He's been an absolute blessing for me on the tour.

"It's a very difficult time and the most important thing for him was to come on the tour.

"It was a highlight of his career and this has blown up in his face again. Duncan and I and the whole of English cricket back him and will carry on backing him."

Mail Cricket Editor