Dhawan hauled for suspect action – Philander to miss two Tests

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MUMBAI, Dec 9, (RTRS): India opener Shikhar Dhawan, who occasionally bowls off-spin, has been reported for a suspect action during the recent fourth Test against South Africa, the International Cricket Council (ICC) said on Wednesday.

India captain Virat Kohli called on Dhawan to bowl just three overs during South Africa’s second innings to break a dogged third-wicket stand between Hashim Amla and AB de Villiers in New Delhi.

Dhawan, who has never bowled in a one-day international or Twenty20, must undergo testing within two weeks according to ICC regulations but can continue bowling in international cricket until the result is known.

India won the fourth test against the world’s number one ranked side to complete a 3-0 series win.

South Africa paceman Vernon Philander will miss the first two tests against England because of injury, team officials said on Tuesday as the squad returned from their 3-0 hiding in India.

Philander suffered a freak injury in a warm-up game of soccer before the second test in Bangalore, going over on his left ankle and tearing ligaments.

South Africa are hoping fellow fast bowler Dale Steyn will be fit for the first test against England in Durban that starts on Dec 26. Steyn suffered a groin strain midway through the second Test in India and did not bowl again in the series.

South Africa meet England in a four-Test series.

New Zealand captain Brendon McCullum is “very comfortable” with the evidence he gave against former all-rounder Chris Cairns, who was found not guilty of perjury and perverting the course of justice in a trial last month.

Cairns had been accused of falsely claiming he had never cheated at cricket when he won 90,000 pounds ($135,171) in damages from Lalit Modi, the former boss of the Indian Premier League, in a libel action three years ago.

McCullum was one of two former team mates, along with self-confessed matchfixer Lou Vincent, who gave evidence against Cairns in the trial, accusing his predecessor as test skipper of twice asking him to fix matches.

Cairns was found not guilty on Nov 30 after an eight-week trial in Southwark Crown Court.

“I was very comfortable with the evidence I gave in London and I stand by that evidence as well,” McCullum told reporters in Dunedin on Wednesday. “I was one of a number of witnesses who gave evidence.

“For me it’s not about whether someone is guilty or not guilty. My role was to give evidence in the trial.

“People will have their own opinions on what unfolded. I was comfortable with it, and as I say it’s time to move on and focus on a bit of cricket.”

McCullum, who will lead New Zealand in the first test against Sri Lanka in Dunedin on Thursday, is scheduled to play his 98th test match at University Oval.

He refused to be drawn on whether he would be involved in any further legal action, with British media reporting that Modi was considering a civil claim, something Cairns acknowledged was a possibility.

“It’s speculation,” McCullum said. “It’s not the forum to be discussing that sort of thing.

“We’ll see what happens down the line.”

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