Steve Smith says spinner Matt Kuhnemann will pass all tests after being reported for a suspect action

Days of testing will determine if breakout spin star Matt Kuhnemann’s action is suspect and his captain says it won’t be an issue.

Matt Kuhnemann “will pass” all tests he has to go through after being reported for a suspect action according to Test teammate Steve Smith who was shocked the spinner was reported in the first place.

After taking 16 wickets in two Tests against Sri Lanka, and amid rumblings of concern over his action by the local batter, Kuhnemann was reported by match officials and will have to pass biomechanical testing on his action in the next 10 days to be allowed t bowl at international level again.

It’s expected Kuhnemann, who is still able to play domestic cricket for Tasmania, will undergo the examination in Brisbane during which he will need to complete several hours of bowling in front of cameras with markers attached to his arm to judge how much it bends.

Australia's Matthew Kuhnemann bowls in Galle. (Photo by Ishara S. KODIKARA / AFP)

There will be independent and ICC experts on hand as he seeks to prove his arm does not straighten more than the permitted 15 degrees.

But Smith had little concern Kuhnemann would be banned echoing the surprise of Cricket Australia officials given the left-armer has played 124 professional matches since 2017 without any issue.

“It’s come as a bit of a surprise to me,” Smith, who captained Australia against Sri Lanka, said.

“He has been playing for eight years in professional cricket and nothing has been said in that amount of time.

“I am thinking of him, at present, he has to go through the process..

“We’re confident he will pass. He will go through that process back home, we wish him all the best.”

Kuhnemann’s next potential Test involvement would likely be Australia’s three matches against the West Indies in June and July.

Smith said he only knew about Kuhnemann being reported after Australia’s second Test win in Galle, and had no sense of anyone having any issues during the series, which Australia won 2-0.

Sri Lankan batters raised concerns over Matt Kuhnemann’s bowling action during the 1st Test & are puzzled why t’was reported after the series was done. Some deliveries “didn’t sit right” & they weren’t convinced by their own spin bowling coach’s assessment https://t.co/84iuSE11Fwpic.twitter.com/QXgSWkDYSI

— Bharat Sundaresan (@beastieboy07) February 13, 2025

This week CricBuzz reported Sri Lankan players had raised concerns over Kuhnemann’s action and even told their r spin bowling coach Piyal Wijetunge, who couldn’t see an issue with the left-armer. n

“There were a few deliveries through the series though that didn’t quite feel right,” an unnamed Sri Lanka batter told CricBuzz.

“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.”

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