ICC doing a good job in controlling suspect action, says Kumble

Anil Kumble has lauded the International Cricket Council (ICC) for tackling the suspected bowling action well.

Mohammad Hafeez's bowling action has been repeatedly put under the scanner by the ICC.

At a time when international cricket is banking heavily on technology, the bowlers are also working hard to ensure that their bowling actions stand corrected. And former India captain and spin ace, Anil Kumble, has lauded the International Cricket Council (ICC) for tackling the suspected bowling action well.

“A fair bit (has been done) from the ICC perspective in terms of looking at suspected actions and making sure that world cricket gets rid of that (suspected bowling actions). And the focus has been (that). Over the last few years, you don’t hear too many issues (suspect bowling action) coming up… I think overall ICC has done a great job in controlling that,” Kumble said on Thursday.

He was speaking at an event, organised by Microsoft Corp. and his technology start-up, Spektacom Technologies, with support from Star India. He launched the Power Bat, an application that will help the batsmen.

A technology with a difference, this actually measures the bat-speed, power, or digs out which part of the willow has struck the ball, all in real time. The event was also attended by VVS Laxman, Robin Uthappa, Abhinav Mukund and Ian Bishop. Answering questions on whether such technology can be used to tackle suspected bowling action as well, the spin legend believed that is indeed feasible.

Microsoft Executive Vice President of Business Development Peggy Johnson (2nd L) with cricketers (L-R) Robin Utthappa, Anil Kumble, VVS Laxman, Ian Bishop, Abhinav Mukund and Star India Executive Vice President (Sports) Sanjog Gupta at the launch of 'Power Bat' technology in Mumbai.

 

The Power bat was introduced earlier this year, during the Tamil Nadu Premier League (TNPL), and the batsmen claimed to benefit from them. Sitting along side Kumble, India international and Tamil Nadu batsman, Mukund, admitted that using the technology has actually worked for the batsmen. While, Laxman believed that use of such technologies will be very useful in the T20s, where the game is faster and furious.

Kumble also indicated that this technology will impact cricket coaching and the methodology of striking the ball, apart from enhancing the fan experience.

The Power bat had actually worked well in the TNPL and Kumble was confident that the technology could be used in league cricket and for ‘bilateral series’ as well. Though it is not available for individual customers yet, Kumble plans to make it available for the cricketers at an ‘affordable price’.