South Africa's Prenelan Subrayen Reported for Suspect Bowling Action in ODI Debut

ICC investigates Prenelan Subrayen's Bowling action after odi match against Australia

South African off-spinner Prenelan Subrayen reported for suspect bowling action after ODI debut against Australia. Find out what happens next and potential consequences.

South Africa's spin bowling all-rounder Prenelan Subrayen has been reported for a suspect bowling action after the first ODI against Australia. The International Cricket Council (ICC) confirmed that match officials in Cairns cited concerns over the legality of Subrayen's bowling action during his ODI debut, where he took 1-46 in South Africa's 98-run win.

The Concerns:

Elbow Extension: A player is allowed to extend their elbow by up to 15 degrees between their arm reaching the horizontal and the ball being released. Subrayen's action may have exceeded this limit.

Previous Issues: This isn't the first time Subrayen has faced scrutiny over his bowling action. He was previously suspended in 2015 after his arm was found to exceed the 15-degree limit.

The South African team management has decided to not play Prenelan Subrayen until he has completed the testing process for his reported suspect action

Read more: https://t.co/SWDvpLqIwX pic.twitter.com/1zG2f8edgV

— ESPNcricinfo (@ESPNcricinfo) August 21, 2025

Subrayen has been instructed to undergo an independent assessment of his bowling action at an ICC-accredited testing facility within the next 14 days. Fortunately, he's allowed to continue bowling until the test results are known. According to ICC regulations, bowlers are permitted up to 15 degrees of elbow extension while delivering the ball. Any extension beyond this limit is considered an illegal bowling action.

Consequences of Illegal Bowling Action:

• If Subrayen's bowling action is deemed illegal, he won't be allowed to bowl until he modifies his action and gets approved by the ICC

• Bowlers with illegal actions face suspension from bowling until further notice.

Cricket South Africa has been contacted for comment on the matter, but no official statement has been released yet. We'll keep you updated on any developments regarding Subrayen's bowling future.

Prenelan Subrayen, the 31-year-old South African cricketer, has faced scrutiny over his bowling action multiple times in the past. In 2012, he was suspended from bowling due to an illegal action but was cleared to resume bowling in 2013 after undergoing remedial work. Similarly, in late 2015, Subrayen was suspended from bowling in domestic cricket after failing an assessment. However, he was later cleared to bowl again after passing a reassessment a few months later.

A proud moment for Prenelan Subrayen as he receives his ODI cap for the Proteas. 🇿🇦🧢

A truly phenomenal milestone! 🏏🔥 #WozaNawe pic.twitter.com/OETLPgdxNQ

— Proteas Men (@ProteasMenCSA) August 19, 2025

Subrayen's Recent Performance:

• Test Debut: Subrayen made his Test debut against Zimbabwe in Bulawayo last month, where he picked up four wickets in the first innings, showcasing his skills as a promising spinner.

• ODI Debut: He recently debuted in ODIs against Australia, taking 1/46 in his 10 overs. However, his bowling action was reported for being suspect, and he'll have to undergo an independent assessment.

What's Next for Subrayen:

Independent Assessment: Subrayen will undergo testing at an ICC-accredited facility within 14 days to determine the legality of his bowling action.

Potential Impact: If his action is deemed illegal, he may be ruled out of the remaining ODIs against Australia, which could significantly impact South Africa's chances in the series