New Delhi, Nov. 8: The Board of Control for Cricket in India has toughened its stand on suspect bowling actions, asking umpires to report bowlers in domestic matches without prior warning.

The board’s new guidelines come after analysing 32 domestic players who are believed to have suspect actions. Of the 32 who were sent for rehabilitation to the National Cricket Academy in Bengaluru, the action of 12 ranged between 0 to 15 degrees flexion accepted as permissible by the International Cricket Council, while the other 20 bent their arms beyond 15 degrees.

According to the new protocol, match officials aren’t supposed to warn or instruct any cricket association or captain against playing a bowler with suspect action.

"If the bowler with suspect action plays and if in the opinion of the umpires he bowls with suspect action they can immediately call and stop him from bowling as per the law. He should not be allowed to bowl during the match. This action should be clearly communicated by match referees to team officials," BCCI chief administrative officer Prof. Ratnakar Shetty said.