Lehmann questions Samuels on bowling action
IT was not the roof that caused the controversy during the BBL clash between the Melbourne Renegades and the Brisbane Heat at Etihad Stadium on Saturday night.
It was the bowling action of West Indies all-rounder Marlon Samuels which stumped Heat coach Darren Lehmann after the hosts won by six wickets and with five balls to spare.
Samuels, an off-spinner, produced a tight spell (0 for 18 off four overs) as the table-topping Renegades made it four from four this season despite looking dead and buried at 3-88 and needing 46 from their final four overs to reach the modest 134 posted by the Heat.
But it was not only the defeat which left Lehmann scratching his head - he wanted to know how someone who jogs in off a couple of steps can legally produce faster balls of about 120km/h.
"I've spoken to the umpires about it," the former Australian representative said.
"I just want something done.
"He (Samuels) couldn't bowl in the IPL (Indian Premier League) last year, yet he can bowl in the BBL.
"We've got to seriously look at what we're doing. Are we here to play cricket properly or what? If he's deemed legal, I'm totally understanding of that.
"But from my point of view from 20 years' cricket, I've got a problem with 120km/h off no steps."
Samuels was suspended from bowling in the IPL after being reported for a suspect action.
Renegades coach Simon Helmot defended Samuels' action when asked if he was confident it was legitimate.
"Absolutely," he said, adding he was disappointed with Lehmann's comments.
"That's up to umpires to decide on legitimacy of actions. It's disappointing to have some comment made like that and we'll take it up with Cricket Australia."
