WICB throws support behind embattled Narine

ST JOHN’S, Antigua, CMC – The West Indies Cricket Board have given Sunil Narine its full backing after the beleaguered off-spinner was on Sunday banned from bowling in international cricket because of an illegal action.

Director of Cricket Richard Pybus said the board would fully support Narine during his rehabilitation and backed the Trinidadian to bounce back from the latest blow to his career.

“It will be a blow to Sunil to have failed the ICC biomechanics assessment of his action and be suspended from bowling,” Pybus said.

“We will be offering our support to Sunil as he does the remedial work on his bowling action. I know the time and effort he has put in to do this work previously and I am sure this will just deepen his resolve to come back a better bowler.”

Narine was reported following the third One-day International of the Sri Lanka tour earlier this month and subsequently underwent testing on his action at the ICC-approved Loughborough University.

According to the ICC, the rest results showed that “all variations of his deliveries exceeded the 15 degrees level of tolerance permitted under the regulations.”

Narine was suspended from bowling in international cricket with “immediate effect” but will be allowed to continue playing in the WICB domestic tournaments.

Under ICC regulations, he can ask for his action to be re-assessed after he has undergone rehabilitation.

Narine is the leading bowler in both limited overs formats.