IPL Controversy: Marlon Samuels reported for suspect action

Yet another IPL controversy and topic of discussion this year as Pune Warriors' all-rounder Marlon Samuels of West Indies has been reported for a suspect action after the Pune Warriors' game against Chennai Super Kings yesterday.

 

 Pune Warriors' part time bowler Marlon Samuels reported for a suspect bowling action in IPL 2012

Marlon Samuels who bowls part-time offspin has been reported following his spell against Chennai Super Kings on Saturday, according to a media advisory posted on the tournament's official website IPLT20.com.
The suspected ball could be his fast deliveries which he bowls at a speed of a fast bowler. 


As per the IPL's official site, Marlon Samuels has been reported for bowling certain deliveries with a suspected illegal action during the DLF IPL match against Chennai Super Kings, played in Pune on 14 April 2012.
The bowler was reported by on-field umpires Aleem Dar and Bruce Oxenford, along with third umpire Vineet Kulkarni, at the conclusion of the match.

Under the IPL Suspected Illegal Bowling Action policy, Samuels may continue to be selected to play and bowl for Pune Warriors India in the DLF IPL 2012 season but should he be reported a second time, he will be suspended from bowling for the remainder of the season.

If you remember, Samuels was reported for a suspect action earlier playing for West Indies too in the year 2008 in one of the test matches against South Africa. He was cleared by the ICC for bowling in international cricket after he went for a remedial work.

IPL Controversy : Harbhajan & Munaf argue with umpire

IPL is never out of controversies.. and there was another controversy witnessed today evening with Mumbai Indians captain Harbhajan Singh and bowler Munaf Patel argued with umpire and made him overturn his decision..

The incident happened when Deccan Chargers captain Kumar Sangakkara got an inside edge of Munaf Patel's delivery onto his stumps and deflecting again onto the stumps from the keeper Dinesh Karthik's pad. The square leg umpire JD Cloete of South Africa declared it as not out since he thought that the stumps were disturbed off the keeper's pads. But, the big screen showed the truth leading to Harbhajan Singh and Munaf the bowler arguing for a long time making umpire Cloete to refer to the third umpire.

 

Munaf Patel arguing with umpires to refer Sangakkara's dismissal to the third umpire

Pic courtesy: NOAH SEELAM/AFP/Getty Images

According to me, this is truly against the spirit of cricket.. Umpires are bound to make mistakes and even though that was a mistake from the umpire to start with by not referring, the players are not allowed to argue and threaten the umpire to refer. I didn't expect this from veteren international cricketers like Bhaji n Munaf.   Am sure the match referee will have something to say today..

I don't think Mumbai Indians will get any points today for the IPL Spirit of cricket award..

Definitely rooting for Deccan Chargers in this match after what happened.. Go Chargers go!!!

Updates: Mumbai Indians won courtesy to a brilliant batting and final over heroics by Rohit Sharma though Steyn bowled his heart out...
Also, Mumbai Indians fast bowler Munaf Patel was fined 25 percent of his match fee and received an official warning and reprimand for breaching the Indian Premier League (IPL) Code of Conduct during his team's match against Deccan Chargers on Monday night.
Mumbai Indians captain Harbhajan Singh also received an official warning and reprimand for breaching the Code of Conduct during the same match.
Both players admitted the Level 1 offence (Article 2.1.3) of showing dissent at an Umpires decision and accepted their respective sanctions.

Controversy: Kevin Pietersen warned for switch hit

Kevin Pietersen was warned during the second test match against Sri Lanka in Colombo for time wasting. He was warned after Tillakaratne Dilshan pulled out of his delivery stride twice when Pietersen shaped to 'switch-hit' in an over.

 

Dilshan pulled out of his delivery stride as Pietersen shaped to switch-hit

Dilshan twice refused to bowl after Pietersen reset his position at the crease before the bowler’s delivery,

Umpire Asad Rauf delivered an official warning to the England batsman after the second instance of Dilshan pulling out of his delivery stride. This warning was delivered under Law 42.10 (Batsman wasting time). A further warning would have resulted in five penalty runs being awarded against the batting team.

 

Switch-Hit Controversy: Umpire Asad Rauf warning Kevin Pietersen for time wasting

However, Pietersen shrugged off the controversy quickly as he plundered the Sri Lankan bowler to complete a powerful 151.

 

Pietersen acknowledges the crowd after scoring a swashbuckling century

Pietersen said, “I don’t find the shot difficult but, like I said, when I first played it against New Zealand all those years back, I don’t think the batter should get penalised because I’m taking the biggest risk”.

“But there’s no issue, I just got my timing wrong. The umpire said it was a warning because I moved my hands too quick and I was OK with that. But they are such minor issues they don’t affect the state of the game at all.”

 

Kevin Pietersen switch hits Dilshan for a six during his century against Sri Lanka in Colombo

 

Kevin Pietersen switch hit controversy lead to a warning against Sri Lanka

Pics courtesy: Getty Images, AP Photo and other sites

Since Kevin Pietersen unveiled the switch-hit in an ODI against New Zealand in 2008, it has been one of the most discussed topics in the Laws of the game. But, the MCC Law gave the green signal and as per the new law, the batsman may switch his grip or stance once the bowler’s back foot had landed in his delivery stride.

Inspite of all these controversies, Pietersen's switch-hit is an awesome shot and something that should be appreciated more.. not everyone could do that...