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Brian Vitori

Bukhosi Mangena, Sports Correspondent
ZIMBABWE and Matabeleland Tuskers’ pace bowler Brian Vitori, 25, has been suspended from bowling in international cricket with immediate effect by the International Cricket Council (ICC) after an independent assessment found his bowling action to be illegal.

In an ICC statement released yesterday, the assessment revealed that all variations of his deliveries exceeded the 15 degrees level of tolerance permitted under the regulations.

“In accordance with Article 6.1 of the regulations, Vitori’s international suspension will also be recognised and enforced by all National Cricket Federations for domestic cricket events played in their own jurisdiction, save that, with the consent of Zimbabwe Cricket, Vitori may be able to play in domestic cricket events played in Zimbabwe under the auspices of Zimbabwe Cricket,” read the statement.

Vitori can appeal for a re-assessment after modifying his bowling action in accordance with clause 2.4 of the regulations for the review of bowlers reported with suspected illegal bowling actions.

Vitori’s bowling action was found to be suspicious by match officials that handled the Bangladesh T20 series last month.

Under the ICC bowling regulations, the level of elbow extension measured for all deliveries bowled are supposed to be within the 15-degree rule, which states that the bowler should not straighten his arm during the course of action of bowling a delivery starting from the point when his arm has reached the level of the shoulder.

In 2014, former Chevrons’ skipper Prosper Utseya was investigated by the ICC for a similar offence and was banned from bowling his off-break spin.

Utseya was, however, only allowed to bowl slow, medium and seam.

In 2015 Malcom Waller was also subjected to the same offence only for the ICC to find his off-spins within their degree of regulations.

Vitori was left out of the Chevrons’ squad that is currently in camp preparing for the World Twenty20 in India next month.