DUBAI, United Arab Emirates – The International Cricket Council (ICC) has suspended West Indies batsman Marlon Samuels from bowling in international cricket.

He was judged to have an illegal bowling action – involving the angle of his elbow – for offbreak and f ast deliveries.

"The suspension applies with immediate effect," the sport's governing body said yesterday in a statement. "(Samuels) can apply for reassessment of his bowling action after he has modified it."

Samuels can also appeal against the suspension.

The 27-year-old Jamaican player was reported by the umpires following the third Test match between South Africa and West Indies in January. South Africa won the Test and Samuels finished with 1-90.

He is a right-handed batsman with a 30.64 run average from 27 Tests, including two centuries and nine 50s. As a bowler, he has taken seven Test wickets at an average of 127.

He represented Jamaica during the just concluded Stanford 20/20 competition in Antigua and his action was once again the subject of much debate among former Test cricketers and regional commentators. (AP/WG)