'It is a long process'- Johan Botha on challenges Matthew Kuhnemann can face for suspect bowling action

Australia enjoyed a great series against Sri Lanka where they won both their matches convincingly. One of the stars of the Two-match series was 27-year-old left-arm spinner Matthew Kuhnemann who went on to become the highest wicket-taker in the series with 16 wickets from the four innings he had featured in.  

However, the talented Southpaw has been facing some trouble recently as he has been reported by the ICC for a suspect bowling action. Though Cricket Australia (CA) has decided that there will be no statement given until the matter is resolved, Kuhnemann Brisbane Heat coach and former South African player Johan Botha has shared his views on this matter being a victim of being reported for a suspect bowling action as well and reveals that it is not going to an easy road ahead for Kuhnemann going forward. 

“It is a long process and unfortunately either way if you get cleared or not it will always be there, guys think it's a one-off and you get rid of it. That is not how it is. It is a bit of a process. For now, he will have to bowl at a very similar speed and revolutions as he did in the Tests. Nothing gets changed now,” the former South Africa skipper told SEN. 

Also Read: Matt Kuhnemann reported for suspect bowling action

“He needs to try and prove himself not guilty and from there on if it is a ball or so over 15 degrees, he will obviously have some work to do, then a long process starts. It never goes away because there is always someone in the crowd, someone in the opposition, or a match referee who wants to have a say or wants to feel a part of it,” Botha added. 

Botha further explained what affects a bowler’s action coming under scrutiny bringing up that it is always the bowler who has been successful in the format and also brought up how the action might have come under pressure due to overbowling. 

“Unfortunately, this will be part of it now. It is never the guy who gets 0 for 100. It is the guys who get wickets and affect games. They are the ones under scrutiny. Guys want to have a look at it and try and find fault,” Botha said. 

“He bowled quite a lot balls in the Test series. As you get tired your action gets put under pressure, I know he likes to bowl. He bowled quite a lot during the Big Bash. He went to Australia training when they were at the Gabba during the Big Bash,” Botha added.