Agnew reckons Kirtley's problem is similar to Muralitharan's

So what happens next? Well, the referee will study further video evidence and will also watch Kirtley if he plays on Saturday although, absurdly, Col. Ali said that he doesn't want the player to feel that he's being scrutinised!

Should Col. Ali feel that a report to the ICC is necessary, Kirtley will have to work with a bowling coach to modify or correct his action. He is still able to play international and county cricket at this time.

If he is reported a second time, more remedial coaching will be required and it is only in the event of a third occurrence that he would face the possibility of a twelve month ban from the game.

Previous rumours

It is fair to say that there has been a great deal of speculation about the legality of Kirtley's action on the cricketing grapevine.

He has a springy run-up and, certainly, there are times when his right arm appears to have a 'kink' in it at the moment of delivery.

This has been explained away as an abnormality, much in the same way as Muttiah Muralitharan's curious action is said to be due to a hyperextension of his right arm.

The laws are clear enough in that if there is any straightening or, crucially, partial straightening of the arm, the delivery is illegal although cricketing politics and the threat of litigation is making are increasingly difficult to eradicate 'chucking' from the game.