Staff Writer – Archi
Sports news. Defending champions Kolkata Knight Riders got a shot in the arm on Sunday with the BCCI’s review committee clearing ace spinner Sunil Narine’s bowling action.
Narine, who was called for suspect action during a Champions League T20 match last October, went through a testing process in Chennai on Thursday. The KKR camp had to endure three tense days before finally learning on Sunday morning that their most consistent match-winner over the past three seasons would be available for IPL-8.
The review committee — comprising S Venkatraghavan, Javagal Srinath and AV Jayaprakash — examined the spinner’s action before giving him a clean chit.
“The committee concluded that Sunil Narine, who had remodelled his bowling action, was within the ICC approved limits for all types of deliveries that were assessed and has hence recommended to the BCCI that his name may be removed from the warning list of bowlers with suspect action,” the BCCI said in a statement.
Narine, who had skipped practice the last two days, arrived with the team for the first time at Eden Gardens on Sunday evening to be greeted with loud cheers by the waiting fans. A relieved Narine waved back at them and even obliged some autograph seekers. A heavy shower, though, forced the team to work out indoors.
Sunil Narine. Photo courtesy pandey444.blogspot.com
Shakib al Hasan reflected the mood in the team. “Of course, it’s big news for us. He (Narine) has always played a big role and is very important in our scheme of things,” said the Bangladesh all-rounder.
Shakib agreed that his team’s bowling attack is ‘spin-oriented’ and added that their target would be to win all home matches so that it becomes easier for them to qualify for the play-offs.
“We get a bit of help for spinners at our home ground (Eden Gardens). So if you win all home matches, it becomes easier to qualify. If we start well, obviously it becomes easier towards the last stage,” he stated.
KKR’s big spin brigade includes Shakib, Narine, Brad Hogg, off-spinner Johan Botha, chinaman bowler Kuldeep Yadav and home-grown mystery spinner KC Cariappa.
