SA spinner Aaron Phangiso reported for suspect action; doubtful for ICC World T20

Johannesburg: South Africa spinner Aaron Phangiso has been reported for a suspected illegal bowling action during a domestic 50-over match, the country’s cricket board said today. The 32-year-old, who has been included in the Proteas squad for the ICC World Twenty20 2016, has been reported after helping his domestic side Highveld Lions into the final of South Africa’s provincial 50-over competition on Wednesday when he took 2/38 in eight overs. [caption id=“attachment_2644516” align=“alignleft” width=“380”]  File photo of Aaron Phangiso. Getty Images[/caption] “Aaron Phangiso of the bizhub Highveld Lions has been reported for a suspected illegal bowling action during the Momentum One-Day Cup match against the Warriors at Bidvest Wanderers, Johannesburg, on 24 February 2016,” the Cricket South Africa (CSA) said in a statement. “Phangiso’s action will now be scrutinised further in accordance with the CSA Regulations for the Review of Bowlers Reported with Suspected Illegal Bowling Actions. He is required to undergo independent analysis by a member of the ICC Panel of Human Movement Specialists and is permitted to continue bowling until the results of the testing are known,” the CSA said. Reports said that Phangiso, who has played 16 ODIs and nine T20Is, is expected to be tested tomorrow at the ICC-accredited High Performance Academy at the University of Pretoria. Fourteen days after that test, an ICC-appointed specialist will furnish the body with written report which will determine whether Phangiso’s action is legal or not, according to a report. The time frame for his testing means that Phangiso’s performance in the World T20 could be affected. Even if he is tested immediately, the 14-day period for the analysis would only conclude on 10 March. He will hope that he is cleared before South Africa open their World Twenty20 campaign against England in Mumbai on 18 March. Changes to squads are allowed until 8 March, which may see South Africa’s selectors look for another back-up spinner to Imran Tahir. It is the latest setback for Phangiso, who early this year was prevented from boarding an international flight following South Africa’s ODI series win in India because he was drunk and disorderly and CSA had subsequently handed him an unknown sanction. This week, Phangiso had to apologise for being caught on camera pretending to sniff an unknown substance off his leg during South Africa’s T20 against England at the Wanderers.