Australian spinner Matthew Kuhnemann undergoes secret testing on his ‘suspect action’

Matt Kuhnemann has been put through his paces by the International Cricket Council’s biomechanics team in a secret testing session. Full details on what it means for his future inside.

Test spinner Matthew Kuhnemann will learn his fate within a week, after secretly undergoing testing on his bowling action in Brisbane.

It’s understood Kuhnemann was put through his paces by the International Cricket Council’s biomechanics over the weekend in a private testing session at the National Cricket Centre.

Kuhnemann was reported by ICC umpires in Sri Lanka earlier this month after queries were raised over his bowling action as he routed the home side to be the leading wicket-taker in Australia’s 2-0 series triumph.

The left-armer must prove the legality of his action under testing to be cleared to resume bowling at the international level.

A verdict from the ICC is expected within 7-10 days of the testing taking place.

“Matthew has completed the assessment which was performed at the National Cricket Centre in Brisbane,” a Cricket Australia statement read.

Australia's Matthew Kuhnemann has had his action analysed. Picture: AFP

“The ICC will make a determination in due course. Neither Cricket Australia nor Matthew will be making any public comment at this stime.”

Kuhnemann’s career is at a crossroads because if he failed to pass the test, he would be banned from playing for an indefinite period to go and make the necessary adjustments to his action to be ruled legal.

It’s understood Kuhnemann has been struggling with the emotional fallout of having his career turned upside down just hours after the crowning moment of his cricketing life so far.

Several senior figures in Australian cricket have come out and publicly backed Kuhnemann and predicted he will be passed legal and cleared to play.

Interim Australian captain Steve Smith said he was stunned to be notified Kuhnemann had been reported and predicted he had little to worry about.

Former Test skipper Tim Paine said Kuhnemann had been hard done by getting reported in the first place and said he is adamant Kuhnemann’s action is legal.

Fellow left-arm Test spinner Steve O’Keefe, a mentor and friend of Kuhnemann’s, said he felt Kuhnemann’s action was legal and that it is a hyperextension that presents an optical illusion to the naked eye.

However, O’Keefe still felt the Australian system had let the spinner down by never calling him in for testing prior to him reaching international level, a move which could have avoided this kind of situation for Kuhnemann on the world stage.

Kuhnemann’s Big Bash coach at the Brisbane Heat, former South African international Johan Botha warned his spinner that the stigma of being reported can stick even if the Queenslander clears his name.

Botha was called multiple times during his own career.

Cricket Australia and those close to Kuhnemann were determined to keep his testing secret to protect his privacy.

Kuhnemann is technically free to play for Tasmania in domestic cricket in the meantime, however he is still managing the broken thumb he carried in the series against Sri Lanka and was left out of the Shield game against South Australia currently being played at Adelaide Oval.

Originally published as Australian spinner Matthew Kuhnemann undergoes secret testing on his ‘suspect action’