Matthew Kuhnemann, an Australian left-arm spinner, has returned to the news, but not because of his ability to win games. A suspicious bowling action has been detected against Kuhnemann, who was a star performer in the just finished Test series against Sri Lanka.
Given that Matthew Kuhnemann played a crucial part in Australia’s success at Galle, where he took 16 wickets in two Test matches, the bowling action incident has drawn some attention. In order to ascertain whether his action surpasses the allowable 15-degree flex, he will now go through independent testing at a facility authorized by the ICC.
Who is Matthew Kuhnemann, though? This is all the information you want on the gifted spinner who is making news for the right and bad reasons.
Matthew Kuhnemann: Who Is He?
Matthew Kuhnemann was born in Brisbane on September 20, 1996, although his cricketing career began when he was a little boy and relocated to the Gold Coast. He began playing cricket at the age of ten, and at the age of seventeen, he made his Gold Coast Dolphins first-grade debut.
He made a significant contribution to The Southport School’s victory in the First XI GPS Premiership in 2014, which marked his breakout.
Before making his List A debut for the Cricket Australia XI in the 2017–18 JLT One-Day Cup, Kuhnemann was given a rookie contract with Queensland for the 2016–17 and 2017–18 seasons. He showed early signs of being a future star when he dismissed Kurtis Patterson to claim his maiden List A wicket.
🚨Australian Left Arm spinner Matthew Kuhnemann🚨 has been reported for a suspect bowling action.
He will undergo an action test in the next 3 weeks.
All 16 wickets of Kuhnemann in recent Srilanka series. pic.twitter.com/tReBkB1PyW
— alekhaNikun (@nikun28) February 12, 2025
Getting Higher Up the List
In the 2018–19 Big Bash League, Kuhnemann made his Twenty20 debut for the Brisbane Heat. In the 2020–21 Sheffield Shield, he made his first-class debut for Queensland.
When he was selected for Australia’s ODI series against Sri Lanka in June 2022, it was his big break on the international front. on Pallekele, Kuhnemann made an immediate impression by taking two wickets on his ODI debut.
His defining moment, nevertheless, occurred during Australia’s Test series in India in 2023. After Mitchell Swepson came home, Kuhnemann, who had not been on the team at first, was picked. With stats of 5/16 in the first innings and a five-wicket haul in Indore, he took full advantage of the occasion and helped Australia win a vital match.
Predominance in Sri Lanka Prior to the Bowling Action Scandal
Despite doubts about his health after thumb surgery, Kuhnemann was selected for Australia’s 2025 Sri Lanka Test series team.
He demonstrated his value once more. Kuhnemann put up an incredible display in the first Test at Galle, taking five wickets for the second time in Test cricket with impressive figures of 5/63 in the second innings. In the third innings, he added four more wickets, which helped Australia win handily.
Following his impressive performance in Sri Lanka, Kuhnemann’s actions came under scrutiny. According to ICC regulations, bowlers can bend their elbows up to 15 degrees during play. Kuhnemann’s action was reported after the second test, which started the required testing procedure.
While his action is being evaluated, Kuhnemann is still permitted to play domestic cricket despite the reports.
