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  Friday, 12 October, 2001, 02:01 GMT 03:01 UK
Kirtley vows to clear name
James Kirtley
Kirtley has been officially reported for a suspect action
England fast bowler James Kirtley has said he is determined to clear his name after he was reported for having a suspect action on the England tour of Zimbabwe.

The match referee, Colonel Naushad Ali, from Pakistan, first raised doubts about the action of the 26-year-old following his international debut in Harare last Wednesday.

Having studied video evidence, he has now formally reported his views to the England management, the Zimbabwe Cricket Union and the International Cricket Conference in London.

But Kirtley said he is convinced he will be backed by the cricketing authorities.


Ever since I was a young boy I've had subtle joints and my arm hyper-extends
James Kirtley
"It's one person's opinion and a situation I've been through before," he said.

"I've shown the mental strength to get through this in the past and I'll do it again.

"I got cleared last November by the ECB and nothing has changed in the last 11 months.

"Ever since I was a young boy I've had subtle joints and my arm hyper-extends which may explain the doubts over my action, but I'll come out the other side I'm sure."

England coach Duncan Fletcher reacted to the news by backing the young fast bowler.

"I'm very surprised about it from James' point of view because we picked him for the tour to Zimbabwe as a cricketer and had no suspicions about his action whatsoever until the match referee mentioned it the other day," Fletcher said.

Kirtley's arm hyper-extends
Kirtley's arm controversially hyper-extends

And captain Nasser Hussain also leapt to Kirtley's defence.

"My main concern is for James because he's been an absolute blessing for me on this tour," he said.

"Being picked for England has been the highlight of his career and this has blown up in his face again.

"But he has has my full support, the support of the England team and hopefully all of English cricket and I'm sure he's mentally strong enough to get through this."

Six weeks to report

Kirtley's defence is that he has an excessively flexible elbow, which can lead some umpires to believe the arm is being illegally straightened during the final part of delivery.

The condition, known as hyperextension, has also dogged leading Pakistani paceman Shoaib Akhtar.

The England and Wales Cricket Board passed Kirtley's action as legal after extensive video and biomechanical analysis last November.

The board will now be called upon again to appoint a coach to work with Kirtley to correct the problem.

It has six weeks to submit a report back to the ICC for approval, either pointing out the measures taken or clearing the action.

 WATCH/LISTEN
 ON THIS STORY
BBC cricket correspondent Jonathan Agnew
"Kirtley can still play in the final match on Saturday"
England coach Duncan Fletcher
"We're quite happy with the way he bowled"
England bowler James Kirtley
"I don't think my action has changed in the seven years I have played county cricket"
England in Zimbabwe

5th ODI, Bulawayo

4th ODI, Bulawayo

3rd ODI, Harare

2nd ODI, Harare

1st ODI, Harare

Kirtley's tour diary

Pocket guide

PHOTO GALLERIES

AUDIO VIDEO
See also:

04 Oct 01 | Cricket
05 Oct 01 | England in Zimbabwe
Links to more England in Zimbabwe stories are at the foot of the page.


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