Ireland's Aimee Maguire suspended for illegal bowling action

Ireland women's Aimee Maguire has been suspended from bowling in international cricket with immediate effect after an Independent Assessment confirmed that the left-arm spinner uses an illegal bowling action.

The 18-year-old was reported by match officials for a suspect bowling action during the first ODI of the ICC Women’s Championship series against India in Rajkot on January 10, where she returned with figures of 3/57 in eight overs.

She subsequently underwent a bowling assessment at the ICC Accredited testing centre in Loughborough, United Kingdom, on January 21, where it was revealed that the amount of elbow extension in her bowling action exceeds the 15-degree level of tolerance permitted under the ICC Illegal Bowling Regulations.

Maguire was included in Ireland's Women's Under-19 T20 World Cup squad in Malaysia. However, she had to be withdrawn since the assessment window clashed with the tournament.

Clause 2.1 of the regulations define an illegal bowling action as "a bowling action where the Player’s Elbow Extension exceeds 15 degrees, measured using the Standard Analysis Protocols from the point at which the bowling arm reaches the horizontal until the point at which the ball is released. Any Elbow Hyperextension shall be discounted for the purposes of determining an Illegal Bowling Action.”

Checl out: Ireland Women spinner Aimee Maguire reported for suspected bowling action against India

As a result, in accordance with clause 6.1 of the regulations, Aimee is immediately suspended from bowling in international cricket. Her suspension will remain in effect until she undergoes a re-assessment of her bowling action which confirms that she can bowl with a legal action.

Maguire, who made her international debut in 2023, has played 11 ODIs and nine T20Is, scalping 25 wickets in her short career with a best of 5/19 against England in an ODI in 2024.

Cricket Ireland offers immediate support for Aimee Maguire

The next step is that the player in question undertakes a remedial programme to correct her bowling action that will be led by National Women’s Spin Bowling Coach James Cameron-Dow.

Graeme West, Director of High Performance at Cricket Ireland, said, “It is critical that Cricket Ireland provide Aimee with the highest level of support throughout the remedial process. A programme has already been designed that will fit alongside Aimee’s educational commitments as she prepares to complete her Leaving Certificate in the summer. James Cameron-Dow and the support team we put around Aimee will work tirelessly towards developing a safe, repeatable and legal action that will return her to the international stage playing alongside team-mates who have already provided huge support and encouragement.”