Nair suspended for suspect action

Sydney Thunder mystery spinner Arjun Nair has been suspended from bowling in domestic cricket for at least three months after being reported for a suspect action in the KFC Big Bash League.

Nair's bowling action was reported by umpires following the Thunder's match against Hobart Hurricanes on December 30.

The right-armer underwent testing at the Bupa National Cricket Centre on January 4, with the results suggesting his action was different to the one he used in the Hurricanes match. 

Cricket Australia protocol dictates that if a bowler has a "markedly different action" in the testing compared to his action in the reported match, the player will be suspended from bowling in all domestic cricket (including the BBL) for at least 90 days.

Nair will be permitted to resume bowling only once he's submitted to a fresh analysis and his action is deemed to be remedied. 

The allrounder has however kept his spot in the Thunder's 13-player squad to take on Melbourne Stars at the MCG on Saturday. He also remains free to bowl in NSW Premier Cricket.

Sydney Thunder general manager Lee Germon backed Nair to have a long career with the club despite the setback.

"Arjun is a talented and popular member of our club," Germon said.

"We believe he will have a long and successful career with Sydney Thunder and shall support him through this process."

Nair has had a breakout BBL season for the Thunder, playing every match to date and has collected nine wickets at 22.77 with an economy rate of 7.06 while adding 66 runs with the bat.

The 19-year-old is a unique prospect in Australian cricket circles, possessing the rare ability as an off-spinner to turn the ball both ways. He learnt to bowl the famed carrom ball by watching YouTube footage of West Indian Sunil Narine.

"He’s someone who has that X-factor, with the ball … and with the bat as well," Thunder captain Shane Watson said last month.

"He’s incredibly skilful, and the way he absorbs pressure for a young man, we’re very fortunate to have him in our team."

Nair has played four first-class matches for NSW, most recently in February in a JLT Sheffield Shield clash with Queensland, but has found himself behind Test spinners Nathan Lyon and Stephen O'Keefe in the Blues' pecking order this season.

He pushed his case for inclusion with six wickets in a Toyota Futures League match against Western Australia in November.