Explosive twist complaint made against Aussie Test bowler Matt Kuhnemann

Extraordinary details have emerged about moves made behind the scenes before Australian Test spinner Matt Kuhnemann was reported.

Extraordinary details about complaints made by Sri Lankan players towards Matt Kuhnemann have emerged.

Australian cricket is still reeling after the Test spinner was reported by the ICC for a suspect bowling action after he ripped through Sri Lankan batsmen during Australia’s 2-0 series sweep.

The 28-year-old is suddenly fighting to save his career and will undergo mandatory testing at an ICC accredited testing facility within the next three weeks to determine if his left-arm finger spin action complies with ICC rules.

According to reports, that test will be held at the National Cricket Centre in Brisbane.

Kuhnemann was one of Australia’s best bowlers in the series sweep of Sri Lanka, finishing with 16 wickets at an average of 17.2 runs.

However, it is now reported that Sri Lankan players took issue with his method of delivery.

Leading cricket journalist Bharat Sundaresan reports, multiple senior members of the Sri Lankan dressing room raised concerns about Kuhnemann’s bowling action during the first Test.

According to the report, Sri Lankan players are now “puzzled” as to why Kuhnemann was only reported after the series had been completed.

Matthew Kuhnemann strikes again in the second Test. Photo by Robert Cianflone/Getty Images.

Matthew Kuhnemann lets one rip in Sri Lanka. Photo by Robert Cianflone/Getty Images.

Crickbuzz.com reports Sri Lankan batters went to Sri Lankan spin bowling coach Piyal Wijetunge to have Kuhnemann’s action analysed.

Wijetunge is reported to have found nothing wrong.

However, Sri Lankan batsmen are reported to have rejected the coach’s analyses and continued to “raise eyebrows” about Kuhnemann’s action as the series progressed.

One source told the cricket site: “They were finding it difficult to leave the crease against him, because they felt like he could adjust and make changes very late, which they found unusual.

“It’s not like they were questioning his action after every delivery but there were some balls which they were concerned with.”

That source went on to say: “What we don’t understand is why the match officials, who were the same for both Tests, waited until the series was over before reporting his action.”

The report does not specify if Sri Lankan players approached match officials to make an official complaint.

The ICC issued a statement on Wednesday saying Kuhnemann had been reported because of the concerns of umpires.

“Australia’s left-arm spinner Matthew Kuhnemann has been reported with a suspect bowling action during the second match of their ICC World Test Championship series against Sri Lanka in Galle,” an ICC statement said.

“The match officials’ report cited concerns about the legality of the 28-year-old’s bowling action.

“Kuhnemann will undergo an independent assessment of his bowling action at an ICC Accredited Testing facility to determine the legality of his bowling action.”

He is not available to be selected in any international matches sanctioned by the ICC.

However, he is back on Australian soil and may be back playing Sheffield Shield cricket as early as next week.

Australia's Matthew Kuhnemann celebrates another wicket. Photo by Ishara S. KODIKARA / AFP.

AAP reports Tasmania expect Kuhnemann to play against South Australia in Adelaide next Tuesday.

The mandatory testing will be checking to see whether Kuhnemann’s elbow extends beyond the 15 degrees allowed under the rules.

Brisbane Heat coach Johan Botha on Thursday said Kuhnemann’s bowling style could prove to be an optical illusion due to the rotation of his shoulder.

The South African spinner was famously under scrutiny his entire career after his own action was found to have been illegal.

He said Kuhnemann may have been a victim of his own success after leaving Sri Lanka as the best bowler of the series, in the eyes of Nathan Lyon.

“It is a long process and unfortunately either way if you get cleared or not it will always be there,” Botha said on SEN.

Australian bowler Matt Kuhnemann. Photo: AFP.

“Guys think it’s just a once-off and you get rid of it. That is not how it is.

“It never goes away because there is always someone in the crowd, someone in the opposition, or a match referee who wants to have a say or wants to feel a part of it.”

According to Code Sports, Australian cricket officials were surprised to learn the news given Kuhnemann has played first class cricket for four years, including three Tests during his debut series against India in 2023.

A Cricket Australia spokesman on Tuesday said: “The Australian team was notified of the match officials’ referral following the second Test against Sri Lanka in Galle and will support Matt through the process of clearing this matter.

“Matt has played 124 professional matches since his debut in 2017, including five Test matches and four one-dayInternationals. He has played 55 Big Bash League games since 2018.

“This is the first time in those eight years of professional cricket that his action been questioned.

“Cricket Australia will liaise closely with the ICC and independent experts in line with ICC regulations. No further comment will be made by Cricket Australia or Matthew until the matter is resolved.”

Originally published as Explosive twist complaint made against Aussie Test bowler Matt Kuhnemann