West Indies fast bowler Jermaine Lawson, who took seven for 78 during Australia's first innings in the fourth Test on Friday, has been reported because of his action, match referee Mike Procter said on Tuesday.
"The umpires asked to review footage of Lawson's action from the first day's play. After reviewing the footage, the umpires have reported the bowler to the ICC (International Cricket Council)," Procter said. "The issue now comes under the ICC's regulations dealing with this matter and over the next six weeks Lawson and the West Indies Cricket Board (WICB) will have the opportunity to work on any areas of concern. Lawson will be able to continue to play during this time."
The 21-year-old Jamaican, playing his seventh Test match, also took a split hat-trick in the third Test match.
"This is never an easy time for anyone -- for the bowler, the WICB or the umpires involved," Procter said. "The ICC is trying to find the best solution."
Former West Indies bowler Michael Holding, who now works as a television commentator, claimed Lawson had been unfairly singled out, while others were asking why the ICC waited until he took seven wickets before looking at his action.
"There's at least half a dozen bowlers who need to be looked at but I can't name them," said Holding.
WICB president Wes Hall said that ICC procedures would be followed. "Remedial action is the thing," he said. "We have people who can look after him. He's just taken a hat-trick and made his mark and he hasn't been around for very long so this will be very traumatic for him. He will get ribbing from people, even inside the team, but he has to cast that out of his mind."
The ICC statement said that Lawson will go through a standard two-stage process.
The first stage, lasting up to six weeks, allows him to continue playing international cricket while working with specialists appointed by his home board.
A detailed reported is then submitted to the ICC and circulated to all ICC referees. If a second report is lodged after the six-week process the player could be banned for up to 12 months.
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