South Africa and Australia are currently engaged in a three-match ODI series with the first match played in Cairns on August 19, 2025, where the African team secured a 98-run win in the opener, taking a 1-0 lead in the series. The Proteas were led by strong performances from their spinners and batting lineup, putting Australia under pressure throughout the match and also for the upcoming second and third ODIs, scheduled to be played in Mackay on August 22 and August 24.
Despite a solid debut in the series opener, South African spinner Prenelan Subrayen has now found himself in the spotlight for reasons that go beyond his bowling performance after the AUS vs SA 1st ODI. Subrayen, who played a significant role in Proteas' win and restricting Aussies to put on a big score, taking the wicket of the opener in his 10-over spell, has attracted attention for a bowling matter since he represents one of the teams with the most ICC trophies. He is currently under investigation and is being reviewed by the International Cricket Council (ICC). In this article, we will find out more about who is Prenelan Subrayen.
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South African Spinner of Indian Origin Banned for Chucking
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Who is Prenelan Subrayen? Why was he Reported for Suspect Bowling Action?
Prenalan Subrayen is a 31-year-old South African off-spinner of Indian origin. He made his Test debut earlier in 2025 against Zimbabwe in Bulawayo, taking four wickets in the first innings. His ODI debut came during the first match of the ongoing series against Australia, where he bowled ten overs, conceding 46 runs and claiming the key wicket of Travis Head.
Following his performance, match officials have raised concerns over the legality of Subrayen’s bowling action. The ICC has confirmed that Subrayen will undergo an independent assessment at an ICC-accredited testing facility to determine whether his bowling action is within the permitted limits. The report has put Subrayen under scrutiny despite an impressive performance in his debut ODI, as the ICC seeks to ensure that all bowlers conform to international guidelines.
If Subrayen is found to have an illegal action, he may face restrictions on his participation in future matches until remedial work or correction is completed. Until the results of the assessment are confirmed, he is allowed to continue bowling in the ongoing series. But South Africa coach Shukri Conrad said on Thursday that the team has decided Subrayen will not play until he has completed the testing process. "He's available to play until he gets tested," Conrad said. Needless to say, the South African spinner bowling action has drawn significant controversy.
ICC Guidelines for Bowling Action and Previous Complaints
The ICC permits bowlers a maximum of 15 degrees of elbow extension during delivery. Any action that exceeds this threshold is considered illegal and subject to review. When concerns are raised, the bowler must undergo an independent assessment at an ICC-accredited facility. This rule is applicable to every cricketing side, including the best teams in the world.
Prenelan Subrayen has previously been under scrutiny for his bowling action. In 2012, Cricket South Africa intervened after tests deemed his action illegal, and he underwent remedial work before being cleared in 2013. Subrayen faced further reports in 2014 during the Champions League T20 in India and again in 2015 during domestic T20 matches. After a failed reassessment in early 2016, he was later cleared to bowl at South Africa’s High Performance Centre and resumed international cricket in March 2016.
This latest report marks the most recent review for Subrayen’s bowling action; the ICC guidelines and previous interventions now demand that his deliveries meet international standards. The results of this assessment will determine whether Subrayen can continue his career without adjustment to his bowling technique or whether remedial action will be needed one more time. After the AUS vs SA 1st ODI, the details around the assessment test are yet to be made. ICC will wait for the result before deciding on the fate of the bowler’s action.
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Frequently Asked Questions
Why was Prenelan Subrayen reported for suspect bowling action?
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Why was Prenelan Subrayen reported for suspect bowling action?
Match officials raised concerns over the legality of his bowling action during the first ODI against Australia, prompting ICC assessment.
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