The International Cricket Council (ICC) has given the clean chit to the New Zealand captain Kane Williamson for bowling in international cricket. While the 29-year-old off-spinner recently underwent a bowling assessment, the reports have mentioned that his bowling action is legal.
New Zealand captain Kane Williamson’s off-spin bowling has come under the scanner during the Galle Test last August. It was the very first international game during New Zealand tour of Sri Lanka that run from 14th to 18th August. Also, it was the opening Test match for both New Zealand and Sri Lanka in the 2019-21 ICC World Test Championship.
In the fourth innings of that Test, when the hosts were chasing the 268 runs target, Williamson bowled three overs. The off-spinner Williamson had the bowling figures of 3-0-9-0 in that innings. Sri Lanka finally won that game by six wickets. During that innings, Williamson’s bowling action was marked as suspected.
On 11th October, Kane Williamson underwent a bowling assessment in Loughborough. The reports have cleared him as he can continue his spin bowling in international cricket. According to the reports, Williamson’s all the deliveries were maintaining the 15-degree level of elbow extension. The ICC has announced his bowling action is legal on Friday (1st November).
Earlier, Williamson faced suspension from bowling in international cricket in July 2014. But after modifying his bowling action, Williamson underwent the reassessment and the report cleared him for bowling again in international cricket.
Kane Williamson has taken 72 international wickets
New Zealand captain Kane Williamson is a famous batsman in the present world cricket. But he is also an effective part-time off-spinner. Williamson has already bagged 72 wickets in 280 international matches. He has taken 29 Test wickets, 37 ODI wickets and six T20I wickets.
In the ICC Cricket World Cup 2019, Williamson bowled a total of 15 overs in two innings and picked up two wickets.
At present, New Zealand are playing the five-match home T20I series against England. However, Kane Williamson is not available for this series due to the hip injury.