Snehal Pradhan’s bowling action found to be legal

New Delhi: The International Cricket Council on Wednesday confirmed that following significant remedial work, an independent test has found the bowling action of India women’s team’s bowler Snehal Pradhan to be legal and, as such, the player can resume bowling in international cricket.

A comprehensive analysis revealed that her mean elbow extension was now within the 15-degree level of tolerance permitted under the relevant regulations but she has been advised to be conscious of ensuring her elbow flexion levels are minimised at upper arm horizontal to ensure she remains well within the extension tolerance threshold.

During the original test on 20 July 2011, the analysis had showed that the amount of elbow extension in Pradhan’s bowling action for all her deliveries exceeded the 15-degree level of tolerance by an average of two degrees.

In the wake of that test Pradhan was suspended from bowling in international cricket and subsequently underwent significant remedial work to modify her action. The 25-year-old from Pune was reported by on-field umpires Jeff Evans and Graham Lloyd, following the completion of an ODI between England and India on 30 June at the Country Ground in Derby.

This latest independent analysis was performed under the guidance of Prof. Bruce Elliott, member of the ICC Panel of Human Movement Specialists, and his team at the School of Sport Science, Exercise and Health, University of Western Australia (UWA), Perth, on 25 January.

The regulations for the review of bowlers reported with suspected illegal bowling actions can be found by clicking here.

It is important to point out that under this process, as with all bowlers, Pradhan’s action will continue to be scrutinised by match officials to ensure it remains legal.