Trinidad & Tobago’s Joshua James suspended for illegal bowling action

PORT-OF-SPAIN, Trinidad (CMC):

TRINIDAD AND Tobago Legions fast-bowler Joshua James has been suspended from bowling after an independent assessment deemed his action illegal.

The decision comes following reports from match officials during the West Indies Breakout League matches against the Barbados Pelicans on April 25 and the Guyana Rainforest Rangers on April 26 at the Brian Lara Cricket Academy.

Against the Rangers, James had bagged 3-35 in a 23-run win for the Legions, while against the Pelicans, he was just as good, grabbing 2-21 in a 64-run win. Those performances had left the T&T paceman fourth on the ‘most wickets’ column: his five is just one behind teammate Johann Layne and the Rangers’ Nial Smith. The Rangers’ Jediah Blades leads all comers with seven wickets.

Under Cricket West Indies (CWI) regulations, footage of James’ bowling was reviewed by Loughborough University’s independent assessor, whose report confirmed that his elbow extension exceeded the legal limit set by the International Cricket Council (ICC).

As a result, James is barred from bowling in all CWI-sanctioned matches and other domestic leagues globally until further notice.

James will now work with the Trinidad & Tobago Cricket Board to rectify his action. He can seek reassessment once modifications are made, either through a follow-up report from Loughborough or an ICC-accredited testing facility.