Steve O’Keefe has expressed concern over the recent issues faced by Australian spinner Matt Kuhnemann, stating that the “system has failed” him. Following Australia’s 2-0 series victory against Sri Lanka, Kuhnemann, who excelled with 16 wickets in Galle, was flagged for a suspect bowling action by match officials. As a result, he must now undergo an intensive testing process to validate his bowling action, though he will still be able to participate in Sheffield Shield matches during this time.
O’Keefe, a former Test player, believes Kuhnemann’s long history of competitive play should mitigate issues with the assessment and does not foresee him struggling to pass the tests. He highlighted the mental toll this situation could take on Kuhnemann, especially after such a successful series.
O’Keefe also pointed out that better early identification and intervention regarding bowlers’ actions are needed within the development system to prevent problems at the international level. He suggested that failing to address these potential issues earlier could lead to significant problems in future tours, particularly with the upcoming fixtures in mind. Despite the challenges, O’Keefe remains optimistic that Kuhnemann will ultimately be fine.