Samuels cops 12-month bowling ban

West Indies part-time off-spinner Marlon Samuels has again fallen foul of the International Cricket Council for his suspect bowling action, receiving a 12-month suspension from bowling in international cricket. 

Samuels, who did not bowl in the first Test against Australia in Hobart, was reported following the Windies' first Test against Sri Lanka in October, and underwent testing at the Bupa National Cricket Centre in Brisbane earlier this month.

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"The assessment revealed that Samuel’s elbow extension exceeded 15 degrees while bowling and, thus, he employed an illegal bowling action," an ICC release stated. "As this report constitutes the player’s second suspension within a two-year period, he is now automatically suspended from bowling in international cricket for a 12-month period."

Samuels was first reported for a suspect action in January 2008 when his faster delivery came under question, and was subsequently suspended, but resumed bowling in September 11 after undergoing remedial work on his action. 

The 34-year-old's action again came to the attention of the ICC during a Test against India in November 2013, and following another assessment, he was allowed to continue bowling his standard off-breaks but banned from bowling his quicker deliveries, which exceeded the allowable 15 degrees.

West Indies next play a two-day match against Victoria in Geelong, beginning Saturday, but will be without paceman Shannon Gabriel, who has returned to the Caribbean with an ankle problem. 

The second Test begins on Boxing Day at the Melbourne Cricket Ground.

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