Lawson reported for suspect action

West Indies pace bowler Jermaine Lawson has been reported for a suspect bowling action, the International Cricket Council said on Sunday.

Lawson, returning to the Test side after a back injury, took eight wickets in the first Test against Sri Lanka in Colombo which the hosts won by six wickets on Saturday.

"The match officials had concerns with potential elbow flexation when viewing the bowler's action with the naked eye," the ICC said.

"This assessment has led the team of officials to request the ICC to commission a biomechanical report into the bowler's action in accordance with the new process introduced earlier this year."

The report will be handled under the ICC's recently revised bowling review process. Lawson will need to undergo independent analysis of his action by a member of the ICC's panel of human movement specialists.

This will take place within a maximum period of 21 days from receipt by the West Indies Cricket Board (WICB) of formal notice of the report by the ICC, together with copies of the relevant match tapes.

Within 14 days of the independent analysis being carried out, the appointed specialist will supply the ICC with a written report advising the outcome of the bio-mechanical assessment. This will confirm whether the bowler's action falls within, or exceeds, the 15 degrees of permitted elbow straightening.

As soon as the specialist's independent assessment is received by the ICC, a copy will be supplied to the WICB. Lawson will be allowed to play international cricket up to this point, at the discretion of his Board.