Guyana Happy Eagles pacer Ronsford Beaton suspended from bowling

Saint John's [Antigua]: In the ongoing West Indies Championship four-day first-class competition, Guyana Harpy Eagles fast bowler, Ronsford Beaton, has been reported for a suspect bowling action. The citation came during the first-round match against Trinidad and Tobago Red Force at the Conaree Cricket Centre in St. Kitts.

Investigation Process Initiated
Upon receiving the report, the standard procedure was followed. Video footage from the reported match was submitted to Cricket West Indies (CWI), accompanied by a written report. The CWI Bowling Review Group (BRG) and Loughborough University were tasked with analyzing the footage through an Opinion Report.

Beaton's Bowling Action Deemed Illegal
Cricket West Indies (CWI) has officially confirmed that the Independent Assessor at Loughborough University found Ronsford Beaton's bowling action to be illegal. Consequently, he has been suspended from bowling in all West Indies international and regional matches, effective immediately.

Suspension Applicable Globally
The assessment revealed that Beaton's deliveries exceeded the permitted level of elbow extension tolerance under playing regulations. International Cricket Council (ICC) regulations extend this suspension to all other domestic leagues worldwide.

Replacement Named for Guyana Harpy Eagles
Isai Thorne, who recently competed with the West Indies Men's Under 19 team at the ICC Men's Under-19 World Cup in South Africa, will step in to replace Beaton in the Guyana Harpy Eagles squad.

Suspension Duration and Resolution
Ronsford Beaton will remain suspended until his bowling action is deemed legal. This can be achieved through either an Opinion Report from Loughborough University or an independent analysis from an accredited ICC testing centre, aligning with the CWI Regulations for Dealing with Suspected Illegal Bowling Actions.

Weather Woes for Guyana's First-Round Match
Adding to the challenges, Guyana's first-round match against Trinidad and Tobago was abandoned with no result due to seepage of water onto the pitch from 24 hours of persistent rainfall.

Upcoming Matches
Round 2 of matches in the West Indies Championship is set to commence on Wednesday, February 14, as teams gear up for the next phase of competition.