Sri Lankan paceman with suspect action retained in Test squad

Colombo, August 19: Sri Lanka's fast bowler Suresh Perera was on Sunday retained for the second Test against India despite being reported by West Indian umpire Steve Bucknor for a suspect action.

Bucknor reported Perera to International Cricket Council's match referee Cammie Smith after watching him in action during last week's first Test at Galle, an official statement said.

The 23-year-old, playing only his second Test, sent down 12 overs in India's first innings without taking a wicket and was not called upon to bowl in the second as Sri Lanka cruised to an emphatic 10-wicket win.

The statement by the Sri Lankan cricket board said corrective measures will be taken to improve Perera's action, but as per ICC regulations, the right-arm fast bowler will not be barred from playing.

Perera is the third Sri Lankan bowler to be reported for a suspect action in the last six years.

Spin ace Muttiah Muralitharan was no-balled by Australian umpires in 1996, while another off-spinner Kumar Dharmasena's action was reported by other umpires two years later.

Both were later cleared by the ICC and continue to play international cricket.

Sri Lanka's selectors kept faith in Perera as they retained the same 16-man squad for the second Test starting in the hill resort of Kandy on Wednesday.

Team sources said a decision to include Perera in the playing 11 at Kandy will be taken on Tuesday.

"If four seamers are required to play, Perera will certainly be considered," a source said.

The selectors have the option of another seamer, Duleep Liyange, in case they decide not to risk playing Perera.

Umpire Bucknor, one of world cricket's most respected officials, will also stand in the second Test.

Sri Lanka's squad: