Jermaine Lawson working out a Sabina Park recently. - Junior Dowie/Staff Photographer JAMAICA AND West Indies fast bowling sensation Jermaine Lawson's bowling action is still under the microscope, therefore the young pacer is unable to resume his international career.
Phillip Service, West Indies Cricket Board (WICB) territorial development officer for Jamaica, confirmed yesterday there was more work to be done before Lawson could return to competitive cricket.
The WICB bowling review committee, chaired by Brian Davis, received the report from British biomechanics expert Dr. Paul Hurrion, a member of the ICC panel who conducted a series of scientific tests on Lawson's bowling action in Jamaica last month.
Service said: "at this point in time, the action was not cleared because it felt there was need for further improvement" to satisfy Law 24 of the sport.
The Law (24) stated - A ball is fairly delivered in respect of the arm if, once the bowler's arm has reached the level of the shoulder in the delivery swing, the elbow joint is not straightened partially or completely from that point until the ball has left the hand. This definition shall not debar a bowler from flexing or rotating the wrist in the delivery swing.
SIGNIFICANT IMPROVEMENT
"However, the report was clear that significant improvement (progress) has been made since the remedial work. We are satisfied on one hand that progress has been made. We are committed to continue to do further work that is required," Service told The Gleaner yesterday.
WICB chief cricket development officer (CCDO) Dr Michael Seepersaud, who has been supervising Lawson's review said it will take several months but begged for patience.
Seepersaud said: "If we can make him more biomechanically efficient, he will be able to retain his pace and ensure the safety of his action.
"At this time, we are very concerned about some lateral flexion that we perceive at delivery.
"Obviously, Jermaine and everyone who has been working with him over the last few months were hoping for a more favourable report, but we are encouraged with the progress made so far."
Dr. Seepersaud noted that high-speed film (250 pictures per second) had been used in the bowling analysis and allowed the behaviour of Lawson's bowling arm to be viewed in slow motion and finite detail throughout delivery.
"Five times as many images are available with this film speed than with conventional video and 15 times when compared to the naked eye, so we are seeing things that we would not normally see," Dr. Seepersaud said in a statement released by the WICB yesterday.
The Gleaner has learnt that a recommendation has been made for Lawson, who will travel to Australia or England to continue remedial work, to sit out the regional Red Stripe Bowl tournament later this year.
