Ruchira Perera reported for suspect action

ICC Match Referee Gundappa Viswanath has confirmed that Sri Lanka bowler Ruchira Perera has been formally reported by umpires Srinivas Venkataraghavan and Daryl Harper for a suspect bowling action.

The report was made by both umpires to the Referee after close of play in the drawn first Test match at Lord’s. Two separate video compilations of Perera bowling during the match were studied by the umpires before announcing their decision.

Referee Viswanath has since informed both the ICC and the Sri Lanka team management of the decision, as per the ICC regulations governing the reporting process.

“The reporting of any bowler at the highest level of the game is a serious matter which has to be handled with fairness and consideration to the player, his team and the opposing team. Both umpires took the opportunity to satisfy themselves fully that there was a concern with Ruchira Perera’s bowling action. Their detailed report has been passed to the ICC and the Sri Lankan team management,” confirmed Gundappa Viswanath.

There is a clear three-stage process endorsed by all Test playing countries for bowlers reported by umpires or referees in international cricket. Ruchira Perera has now been referred to Stage One of the process, which means that he can continue to play international cricket while working with a specialist advisor or advisors appointed by the Board of Control for Cricket in Sri Lanka (BCCSL), to review his bowling action.

A detailed review will be compiled by the BCCSL and submitted to the ICC within a six week period of the reporting. This will then be circulated to all ICC Match Referees and Elite Panel umpires for information and reference.

Mail Cricket Editor