Umpire Joel Wilson axed from international panel

There has been a development in the curious case of Australian Test spinner Matt Kuhnemann and his bowling action involving one of the umpires from the Sri Lankan series.

Joel Wilson, the umpire understood to be behind the push to report Matt Kuhnemann’s bowling action, has been axed from the international panel.

The error-prone West Indian umpire has been omitted from the new panel along with England’s Michael Gough who was much more highly regarded.

Wilson is known to have been behind the push to report Kuhnemann after viewing his action from close range recently in the second Test against Sri Lanka in Galle.

After Kuhnemann was cleared, his mentor John Davison told Nine: “I would be encouraging Joel Wilson to get his decisions right rather than get involved in other parts of the game.’’

Umpire Joel Wilson (right) officiated 67 Tests. Picture: Richard Heathcote/Getty Images

Kuhnemann was subsequently cleared after an exhaustive ICC testing process.

Wilson was also remembered with a grimace by Australian fans for the role he played in the 2019 Ashes when he failed to give Ben Stokes out lbw after he missed a sweep off Nathan Lyon with Australia two runs from victory in the Headingly Test.

Australia had burnt their reviews.

Former England 50-over player Alex Wharf and former South African domestic player Allahuddien Parker are the new additions to the panel.

Trinidad based Wilson, who officiated in 67 Tests, had 35.4 per cent of his decisions overturned when reviewed last year, the highest of any umpire.

Gough had just 21 per cent overturned and he was well admired around the cricket world.

Originally published as Umpire Joel Wilson axed from international panel