Ganguly defends Samuels' bowling action

Bangalore, April 16 (IANS) Pune Warriors captain Saurav Ganguly Monday defended the suspect bowling action of his off-spinner Marlon Samuels.

Samuels has been warned by the Indian Premier League (IPL) organisers against bowling certain deliveries with a suspect action while playing against Chennai Super Kings (CSK) at Pune Saturday.

"I am surprised that he has been warned to be honest. If you go around the IPL that's the case and I should not be saying it because they are all part of a competition," a livid Ganguly said.

He was speaking to reporters here ahead of Warriors league match against beleaguered hosts Royal Challengers Bangalore (RCB) at Chinnaswamy stadium.

Asserting that Samuels would keep playing for the team in the league matches, Ganguly said if the West Indian offie got warning for his action, there are a few others around who probably were worse.

"All we want is fairness. If you look around the IPL, there are few worse actions going around. So you got to be very careful. Whoever has done it (warning), he should be very careful," Ganguly said.

In a statement Sunday, IPL said that on-field umpires Aleem Dar and Bruce Oxeford along with third umpire Vineet Kulkarni had reported that certain deliveries of Samuels were suspected of being illegal under the suspected illegal bowling action policy.

"Samuels may continue to be selected to play and bowl for Pune Warriors in the current IPL season but should he be reported a second time, he will be suspended from bowling for the remainder of the season," the organiser's statement said.

Expressing surprise over the warning, the former Indian captain said though Samuel had bowled in three IPL games so far, he was not warned nor when he bowled for West Indies during the last two years.

"I don't know what different he did in the fourth game (against CSK) to be warned. I told him keep bowling, let us see what happens."

According to cricket commentators, Samuels' action has been under scanner for some time, as some of his off-breaks caused suspicion.

For instance, the ball that bowled out Surya Kumar Yadav of Mumbai Indians was delivered at a lot of pace. Similarly, he bowled against CSK batters at 122 kmph.