Whatmore assured of Perera's future

Kandy, August 21: Sri Lankan coach Dav Whatmore said Tuesday that he was concerned about medium-pacer Suresh Perera but the suspicion over his bowling action will pass and the boy will have a long stint in international cricket.

"It's a little bit worrying that Suresh's action has been reported, because he's a young player and has played in just two Test matches," Whatmore said on the eve of the second Test against India that begins Wednesday in Sri Lanka's temple city of Kandy.

Perera's bowling action was reported to the International Cricket Council by West Indian umpire Steve Bucknor during last week's series opener in the southern coastal town of Galle, which Sri Lanka won by 10 wickets.

Bucknor intimated that ICC match referee Cammie Smith, a former West Indies cricketer, had doubts about the legality of Perera's bowling action and informed the Board of Control for Cricket in Sri Lanka.

But Sri Lanka retained Perera in the squad for the second Test, which is permitted by the ICC regulations.

"The rules are very clear ... Suresh can still participate in international cricket for six weeks," Whatmore said. "We're confident his action will be of no concern in the very near future."

"It's a little bit disturbing but he's got to go through the process of the ICC," said Whatmore. "Some deliveries have caused some concern for an international umpire and that's fine as that's his (the umpire's) job."

"We'll learn more in time to the specific nature concerned," he said.

The Sri Lankan team management was debating Tuesday whether to include Perera in the team for the second Test, where Bucknor will again be standing as an umpire.

Bucknor will be replaced by ICC's umpire Dave Orchard of South Africa for the third Test, to be played in Colombo.

"It's for the selectors to decide if he gets a place in the team for the second Test," said Whatmore, adding that Perera was rated very highly by his captain and the national selectors.

Skipper Sanath Jayasuirya said he had an open mind about playing Perera.

"We've not picked the side yet but he can play ... Why not?" Jayasuriya said.

Playing only in his second Test in Galle, Perera, 23, did not get any wicket during his 12 overs in India's first knock and was not required to bowl during the second innings.

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

The previous two - spinners Muttiah Muralitharan and Kumara Dharmasena - are both continuing their cricket careers after being cleared by the ICC.

This is the second time in two years that Perera finds himself surrounded by a controversy over his bowling action.

Two years ago, an observation about his suspect bowling action during a domestic cricket match was sent to the country's board by former Sri Lankan Test cricketer Asoka de Silva, who was umpiring the first Test against India with Bucknor.

"In keeping with the ICC regulations, this player will be subject to the review process," Sri Lankan board said in a statement Saturday.

The ICC's review process for bowlers with suspect action - which was adopted after some countries criticised the practice of bowlers being recklessly labeled as chuckers - involves a corrective process but they are not barred from playing.

The ICC will send video footage of Perera's bowling during the Galle Test match on the basis of which he was reported.

The Sri Lankan board will make its assessment within six weeks and its bowling specialists will then work with Perera to take the necessary corrective measures.

An ICC advisor will come into the picture to rectify Perera's action if his bowling is reported suspect again during the next 12 months. The ICC's review group on suspect bowling actions will be called upon if he gets reported for the third time by the umpires inside one year.

The ICC bowling review group can conduct a hearing and deliver a judgment on the legality of a bowler's action.