May 22 Wednesday 2002
ICC confirm reporting of SL pacer Perera

LONDON: 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. 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 Perera's bowling action. Their detailed report has been passed to the ICC and the Sri Lankan management," confirmed Viswanath.

Perera has now been referred to Stage One of the process, which means 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 the Elite Panel umpires for information and reference.