Brett Lee reported to ICC for chucking

Lee, 23 and just last week voted Wisden’s International Young Cricketer of the Year, said he was shocked by the allegations and swore his action was "pure". "I’m very shocked and very disappointed, I only found out about this last night (Monday) — I never thought it would come to this. It’s been four months and not a word’s been said."

ACB Chief Executive Malcolm Speed said he had little information to work with and didn’t yet know whether the ACB would be able to defend Lee when the illegal deliveries panel studied his case. "I very much hope that we get a chance to present our case but at the moment there is some confusion as the procedures from here."

Speed said the ICC’s procedure to date had been flawed – especially given that he was only made aware of the allegations against Lee on June 27. "It’s fair to say the ACB is concerned with the some of the procedural aspects of the way the ICC has dealt with this matter – not least of which is the delay of some three or four months since the concerns were raised, and the ICC’s failure to follow their own procedures. We’ll work with Brett to mount the strongest, the most comprehensive and compelling case that there is, in fact, no problem with his action."

The ACB intends to use the evidence of fast bowling great Dennis Lillee who has worked with Lee, remodelling his action after the paceman broke his back as a 17-year-old. "Having worked with Brett for many years, I’ve never seen a problem with his action," Lillee said. A review will also be carried out by biomechanical expert and the ACB will tape each of his Lee’s deliveries during next month’s one-day series against South Africa in Melbourne and submit them to the ICC panel.

Lee previously had the finger pointed at him when the Indian team toured here last summer but said he was not given any cause for concern during the New Zealand series. Speed was unsure when Lee’s case would be heard and said the matter had been made more complex by the review of the illegal delivery laws following the furore over Pakistan’s Shoaib Akhtar, who is vying with Lee as the fastest bowler in the world – both close to touching the 100mph (160kph) barrier.

Akhtar was banned late last year when the panel ruled he used a throwing action when bowling a short-pitched delivery. However, he later played one-day matches in Australia after Pakistan argued the short-pitched delivery was not used in limited overs matches. The then ICC President Jagmohan Dalmiya overturned the committee’s decision to suspend Akhtar and the panel’s powers to suspend players for throwing were revoked by the ICC executive board in February.

Subsequently the law regarding chucking has been rewritten and a new law will come into action in October this year. Speed said even if Lee were found guilty by the ICC’s panel, he would not be suspended as the ICC now required the matter to be referred to the player’s home country. "If the panel has a problem it will be referred back to the ACB to remedy," Speed said.