Quick under chuck cloud
League orders top umps to check import’s action
EAST Belmont has leapt to the defence of star import Alex Willerton amid claims he has a suspect action.
Lions coach Chris Williams poured cold water on allegations Willerton was a “chucker”, declaring the 24year-old English quick had not been reported in his career.
The GCA has launched a probe, with president Barry McFarlane calling on his two most experienced umpires to monitor his action in this weekend’s clash against Leopold.
Willerton, in his first season at Winter Reserve, became the focus of fierce debate overnight when a video surfaced of him bowling against Geelong City on Saturday.
The Lincolnshire export struck Sharks batsman Alex Inglis on the head with a sickening delivery that reduced him to his knees before hitting Matthew Elliot in the body.
The fearsome spell of bowling, captured by Sport Focus, drew widespread criticism on the GCA’s Facebook page, leading to an investigation.
And a respected GCA1 cricketer called on the league to report Willerton, believing his action could have deadly consequences.
“I seriously find this concerning that someone is bowling — at that speed — and has hit multiple batsman so far,” the player said.
“We are not talking about a medium pacer or a spinner. We are talking about someone who bowls fast.
“If he is hitting batsmen in helmets every game, who will be responsible if someone does get seriously hurt, especially having evidence this person is bowling and officials did nothing about it?”
Geelong Cricket Umpires Association president Greg Illingworth confirmed Willerton had not been reported.
No complaints have been made to GCA headquarters, according to McFarlane.
“He did play against St Joeys in Round 1, and I didn’t get behind the bowler’s arm to watch him, but I watched him from the balcony and nothing struck me,” he said.
“I watched the footage and I’d like to have a look from side on.
“I haven’t talked to the umpires on the weekend, but he wasn’t called (for throwing), so I’d need to speak to those umpires and Greg Illingworth and see what they think but I think we need to put a couple of experienced umpires on in the next match.
“A few people have said, ‘this guy’s got a suspect action’, since the video came out, so we’ll get some of our better umpires out there to look at it, and if they agree that there’s something that needs to be looked at, then we’ll look at the avenues to get it tested.”
Willerton, who did not wish to comment after being approached through the club, has taken eight wickets at 26.33.
And the chucking controversy has caught Williams and his teammates by surprise.
“For us, it hadn’t been on our radar,” he said.
“We’ve had six umpires so far. There hasn’t been any mention of his action to (captain) Sean O’Neill or even Alex himself.
“Matt Lineker played a season with him in England and it was the same result. He played in two minor counties finals, large competitions where he bowled in front of ECB (English Cricket Board) officials and, again, nothing was said there.
“People can have their opinions, that’s how it is, but we play within the rules.
“If clubs are really concerned about it and are happy to stump up the money, we’re happy to take him on a trip to Perth, put the electrodes on him and put him through the testing.”
Grovedale captain Barry Tsitas, who faced East Belmont in Round 1, did not wish to comment, while St Joseph’s skipper Luke Ibbs said his players had made note of his Willerton’s action.
“We did notice he had a bent elbow in his action but I don’t think it’s illegal,” Ibbs said.
“We all thought it was a bit of a fuss but we weren’t kicking up a fuss about it. If he got tested I’d be interested to see what degree it is.
“But I’d hate to see a bloke come to Australia and be called up for chucking.”