Nathan Lyon has shed light on the emotional state of Matt Kuhnemann following his reported bowling action, which led to rigorous testing after Australia’s recent tour of Sri Lanka. Fortunately, Kuhnemann was ultimately cleared of any wrongdoing.
Speaking to journalists, Lyon expressed that Kuhnemann felt “shattered” upon receiving the report. He voiced concerns about the public nature of the process, suggesting that it should have been handled “behind closed doors” to shield the player from undue scrutiny.
Lyon reflected on his own feelings of heartbreak for his teammate, noting that he travelled home with Kuhnemann and witnessed his distress firsthand. “He was pretty nervous,” Lyon said, adding that he couldn’t be prouder of Kuhnemann now that his name has been cleared.
In light of this incident, discussions have arisen regarding the protocols related to reporting and testing bowling actions. The Age reported that there may be changes to how information about such matters is shared publicly, highlighting the need for greater confidentiality to protect players’ reputations.
Kuhnemann faced the public fallout after being named in the report by umpire Joel Wilson, who has since been removed from the ICC’s elite panel, demonstrating the serious implications of the incident both for the player and the official involved.
Ultimately, this episode raises pertinent questions about the management of bowling action reports and the impact such situations have on players’ mental well-being and careers.