Shock data revealed regarding Matthew Kuhnemann’s action as ICC reveals their decision

Astonishing data on the bowling action of Matthew Kuhnemann reveals even more questions about how the ICC investigation into the Test spinner got this far, after he was cleared of having a suspect action.

Tests on Matthew Kuhnemann’s bowling action have revealed startling data which confirms that his action generates an optical illusion.

It’s understood the majority of deliveries Kuhnemann bowled for testers registered under 10 degrees and there were only a handful of deliveries that sat between 10 degrees and the 15 degree limit allowed for international bowlers’ arms to straighten.

The data serves as an enormous confidence booster for Kuhnemann for the rest of his career and should remove any ongoing innuendo over the legality of his action.

Kuhnemann’s emphatic results only intensifies the microscope on ICC match officials who reported the 28-year-old in the first place and exposed him to the most challenging fortnight of his professional life.

Matthew Kuhnemann was the leading wicket-taker in the Sri Lanka series, taking 16 scalps in the 2-0 series win. Picture: AFP

International Cricket Council match officials were left embarrassed following their failed reporting of Kuhnemann.

As revealed first by this masthead, the Australian spinner has been cleared by the ICC of having a suspect action.

Kuhnemann was advised by law makers in Dubai that he has no case to answer and is free to continue playing – his bowling action completely vindicated and left unchanged.

As first revealed by this masthead a fortnight ago, Kuhnemann was sent for testing in Brisbane and was forced to perform his action under scrutiny by biomechanics from the ICC after match officials reported him following his leading role in Australia’s 2-0 series victory over Sri Lanka.

The ICC confirmed Kuhnemann was found to have no case to answer after being reported.

“He subsequently underwent an independent bowling assessment at the National Cricket Centre in Brisbane on 15 February, where it was revealed that the amount of elbow extension for all his deliveries was within the 15-degree level of tolerance permitted under the ICC Illegal Bowling Regulations,” an ICC statement read.

While it is a moment of sheer relief for Kuhnemann, 28, a key weapon in Australia’s mission to defeat India in India in two years’ time, there will be red faces at the ICC, cricket’s headquarters.

Controversial umpire Joel Wilson has once again come under the microscope for his involvement in a contentious on-field decision involving Australia.

It’s understood umpire Wilson supported the push to report Kuhnemann for his allegedly suspect action after he stood in the second Test against Sri Lanka in Galle.

Other match officials are understood to have not felt as strongly about the need to report the Tasmanian left-armer.

Wilson did not stand as an umpire in the first Test, and the report that was levelled was based on Kuhnemann’s bowling in the second Test.

It’s understood that the test revealed that much like India’s fast bowling great Jasprit Bumrah, Kuhnemann bowls with a hyper-extended arm that gives the optical illusion that it is illegally straightening.

Umpire Joel Wilson is understood to have supported the push to report Kuhnemann. Picture: Michael Klein

The result is a massive relief for Kuhnemann who was shattered by the report after a heroic series where he was the leading wicket-taker, claiming 16 Sri Lankan scalps across the two Tests.

The fact that Kuhnemann has now been cleared is a major boost for his career.

Changing your action as an experienced bowler would have been an agonising process and one which could have shattered his confidence.

Kuhnemann can now get on with his career in the knowledge his action has been given the official green light.

Questions will be asked about why he was reported in the first place, and the undue cloud put over his reputation.

Former Australian Test captain Tim Paine was one of Kuhnemann’s most strident supporters, arguing from the outset that the bowler had been unfairly targeted by ICC match officials.

Paine, who has played and coached against Kuhnemann extensively, was adamant Kuhnemann’s action was legal and that he was the victim of optical illusions.

There was a feeling of injustice amongst multiple ex-Australian players spoken to by this masthead that the ICC often seems to only make examples out of soft targets, and rarely throws the book at big stars.

Matthew Kuhnemann enjoyed a sensational tour of Sri Lanka. Picture: AFP

For instance, there was shock at Indian superstar Virat Kohli escaping heavy punishment during the summer for making physical contact with teenage Australian batsman Sam Konstas.

Cricket Australia pointed out from the start that Kuhnemann had been playing professional cricket for eight years without there ever being a single question posed about his action.

CA head of team performance Ben Oliver welcomed the news that Kuhnemann was in the clear following the most agonising two weeks of his life.

“We are pleased for Matt that this matter is now resolved. It has been a challenging period for Matt however he has carried himself exceptionally well,” Oliver said.

“He has had the full support of Australian cricket and he can now move forward to the next phase of his international career with great confidence.”

Former Sri Lankan Test batsman and respected commentator Russel Arnold told this masthead in the days’ following Kuhnemann being reported that history has taught us not to judge bowlers on reports alone – and that testing would reveal all.

Kuhnemann was a late withdrawal from Tasmania’s last Sheffield Shield match as he dealt with the fallout of having his reputation called into question, and also to continue healing for a broken thumb he had nursed through the series against Sri Lanka.

However, with this enormous weight off his shoulders, Kuhnemann may be ready to return and help propel Tasmania into the Shield final.

Australia has firmly stood behind Kuhnemann during the process and expressed their shock at him being called in the first place. Interim Test captain Steve Smith said he was stunned Kuhnemann had been reported.