T&T Cricket Board (T&TCB) executive member Lalman Kowlessar is counting on national and West Indies spinner Sunil Narine to bounce back after being reported for an illegal bowling action but wants the West Indies Cricket Board (WICB) to take a proactive approach so the problem does not recur.
Narine was reported by the umpires after playing for the Kolkata Knight Riders against the Sunfoil Dolphins on Monday in the Champions League T20 tournament in India. The umpires stated that Narine's quicker ball is illegal.
Narine is still allowed to bowl in the tournament, but if he is reported again he will not be allowed to bowl in the final if his team advances. All eyes will be on the off spinner today when Kolkata plays the Hobart Hurricanes in the semifinals.
Kowlessar wants the WICB to get engaged in the matter. Kowlessar said: "What needs to be done is the WICB needs to get involved." Kowlessar explained that as soon as a player shows tendencies of an illegal action the WICB should work with the player to correct their bowling action.
The T&TCB member is confident that Narine will bounce back from this ordeal. "If its only the faster one (ball), I see no problem, if its in general it will be a problem. If it gets worse the WICB would have no alternative but to send him for corrective action."
In 2011, Narine, along with fellow national bowler Kevon Cooper, went to Australia to have their actions assessed as the pair was reported for suspicious actions.
The Presentation College Chaguanas coach believes the situation may affect him for the rest of the year but is hoping the mystery spinner will fight back. "I think it may have an affect on him. Hopefully for West Indies cricket he will be able to pull through. West Indies could live without him bowling the faster one." Narine is part of the West Indies team which will begin its tour of India on Wednesday.
Kowlessar added that many bowlers recently have been under the radar of the International Cricket Council and says Narine is not being victimised. "I don't think they are picking on him, the umpires are objective. I don't think they are targeting him."