The hi-tech National Cricket Centre in Brisbane will be "placed on standby throughout the World Cup to fast-track examination of dubious bowling actions" after ICC CEO David Richardson promised "no let-up on the crackdown against throwing," according to Richard Hobson of the LONDON TIMES. Bowlers reported in Australasia will be flown to the facility -- passed for purpose by the ICC three months ago -- for a test "within five or six days." That will allow a "swift clearance or prompt a suspension so that teams can seek a replacement." The ICC decided to "get tough last June with a three-pronged offensive that also hardened its stance on slow over-rates and player behaviour in the approach to the tournament starting next month" (LONDON TIMES, 1/22). In Melbourne, Greg Buckle wrote the ICC's walk is not "matching its talk, which is leaving David Warner and his Australian teammates free to continue with their verbal needling." Richardson cited "too many examples of player behaviour going too far." But ICC match referee Andy Pycroft has balked at a chance to "mete out significant punishment to repeat offender Warner." Warner’s verbal clash with India's Rohit Sharma in last Sunday's one-day game at the MCG "led to him being fined" 50% of his match fee. Pycroft could have suspended Warner, yet he did not (HERALD SUN, 1/21).
