DUBAI, United Arab Emirates

(CMC):

West Indies all-rounder Marlon Samuels has been banned from bow-ling in international cricket, after his action was deemed illegal by the International Cricket Council (ICC).

The sport's world governing body announced yesterday that an analysis of Samuels' off-break and faster ball showed that his action exceeded the 15 degrees level of tolerance permitted under regulations.

Independent analysis

Dr. Mark King, a member of the ICC Panel of Human Movement Specialists at the National Cricket Academy at Loughborough University in England, performed the independent analysis on February 11.

"The analysis showed that Samuels' average elbow flexion/-extension angle for an off-break delivery was 27 degrees, while the elbow flexion/extension angle for his faster delivery was 35 degrees. The elbow flexion/extension angle for his arm ball was two degrees," an ICC release said. "Although only his fast deliveries were reported as suspect, the ICC process required his action generally, including the fast delivery, to be analysed."

The ban will take immediate effect, but the right-arm off-spinner can also appeal the decision. He will be allowed to apply for a re-assessment of his action after he has modified it in accordance with the relevant regulations.

The 27-year old Samuels, who has played 27 Tests and 104 One-Day Internationals, was reported for a suspected illegal bowling action regarding his fast deliveries, by the on-field umpires Simon Taufel and Aleem Dar following the third Test match between South Africa and the West Indies last month.

Despite this, he played for the West Indies in the five-match ODI series against South Africa.