World record holder Muttiah Muralidaran in action for Sri Lanka
Photo: Getty Images
Bowlers suspected of throwing will have nowhere to hide if the ICC's plans to introduce a device to measure their actions in real time come to fruition.
The ICC has poured $500,000 into funding a device developed by Australian Institute of Sport that can be worn by bowlers to assess their action in the heat of battle.
Previously, umpires gauged the legality of players' actions by sight and referred them to biomechanics laboratories for further testing.
Sri Lankan spinner Muttiah Muralidaran was no-balled three times in Australia for throwing but his action was later assessed as legal, with less than 15 degrees of elbow flex, by laboratory tests.
The device, which is currently in its second stage of development, uses gyroscopic technology similar to that found in smartphones. The latest prototype is attached to a player's arm above and below the elbow but researchers hope to make the final version less cumbersome to wear.
ICC chief executive David Richardson said is looking forward to the technology being introduced to top-flight international cricket.
"I believe it will be a significant stride forward in detecting illegal bowling actions in match conditions," Richardson said. "We are encouraged by the progress made so far."