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Ricky Zililo, Senior Sports Reporter

ZIMBABWE Cricket will assist banned offspinner Prosper Utseya modify his bowling after being found guilty of illegal bowling by an independent committee of the International Cricket Council.

Utseya, reported for faulty bowling by the ICC’s match officials after the third ODI against South Africa in Bulawayo in August, was tested at an accredited facility in Cardiff, UK and all of his deliveries were deemed illegal.

He was tested on September 19 with  ICC announcing the outcome on Wednesday.

Utseya must now undergo remedial work on his bowling action and apply for re-testing.

“Following the immediate suspension of Prosper Utseya from bowling in international cricket which was announced by the International Cricket Council (ICC) today, Zimbabwe Cricket managing director Wilfred Mukondiwa has met with the player and the senior national team technical staff.

“Utseya expressed confidence that he can modify his bowling action. Zimbabwe Cricket is now looking for the relevant technical expertise to work with Utseya to modify his action in the shortest possible time, after which an application will be made to the ICC for his re-assessment,” reads a ZC statement.

Utseya’s suspension is a blow to Zimbabwe’s preparations for next year’s World Cup to be held in New Zealand and Australia as he was set to lead the team’s bowling attack at conditions which favour offspin. The leading offspinner is effectively ruled out from the national team’s long tour to Bangladesh which runs out from October 16 to the first week of December.

Zimbabwe Cricket is using the Asian trip as part of its preparations for the World Cup and while in Bangladesh they are scheduled to play three Test matches and five ODIs. Utseya who can still play in the domestic league at ZC’s discretion and will only be able to return to the international scene once he corrects his unlawful bowling action.

The ICC umpires have been strict with identifying illegal actions in recent months and bans have been handed out to Pakistan’s Saeed Ajmal and Sri Lanka’s Sachithra Senanayake among others, after both were found guilty of breaking the 15-degree flex rule.