The West Indies' World T20 final hero has his bowling action approved following a 12-month ban
ICC clear Samuels to resume bowling
West Indies veteran Marlon Samuels has been cleared to resume bowling following remedial work and reassessment of his action.
Samuels has been unable to bowl his part-time off-breaks since being reported for the second time for a suspected illegal action in the Galle Test against Sri Lanka in October 2015, and receiving a subsequent 12-month ban in December that year.
But tests at the International Cricket Council’s testing facilities in the United Kingdom last month demonstrated his elbow extension is again within the permitted 15-degree level for all deliveries.
The 36-year-old has taken 41 wickets in his 71 Tests and a further 104 in 238 white-ball international matches.
A fiery character, Samuels courted controversy last year after guiding the West Indies to a thrilling World T20 final victory over England before delivering a spray to allrounder Ben Stokes.
Samuels was fined 30 per cent of his match fee for his conduct during the match but continued to fire shots at Stokes after play.
"Well he doesn't learn," Samuels said of Stokes, who Carlos Brathwaite launched for four consecutive sixes in the last over to seal a stunning win in the tournament decider.
"Because they keep telling him, whenever he plays against me (they say) 'don't speak to me, because I'm going to perform'."
Samuels also took aim at Australia spin great Shane Warne.
"I played a Test series in Australia (in 2015-16) and every day, Shane Warne has a problem with me," Samuels said, feet on the table, at his post-match press conference.
"I don't know what (I did). I've never disrespected him.
"Seems as if he has a lot inside him that he needs to come out.
"So I don't appreciate the way he continues to talk to about me and the things that he keeps doing.
"I don't know. Maybe because my face is real and his face is not?"
Samuels was left out of the Windies’ squad for their one-day international tri-series in Zimbabwe. The Caribbean side’s next assignment is a three-match ODI series at home to England beginning March 4.