Cricket: English pace bowler in the gun for action

Jenny Gunn. Photo / Getty Images

One of the most interesting facets of today's women's cricket World Cup final will be whether the match is influenced by England pace bowler Jenny Gunn.

Gunn has had her bowling action cleared by the International Cricket Council (ICC) after the 22-year-old was suspended from Australian state cricket in February - she plays for Western Australia - after failing tests under doubtful bowling action procedures.

She was then reported after England's World Cup win over Sri Lanka on Sunday, when umpires raised concerns about her short-pitched deliveries.

But Dr Mark King's report to the ICC has declared her action to be legal.

King, who is a member of the ICC panel of human movement specialists and is based at Loughborough University, stated after reviewing footage of Tuesday's win against India that Gunn's action was consistent with her action when it was analysed in April 2007 and found to be legal.

He said: "The unusual amount of hyperextension and abduction may well create the illusion that Ms Gunn throws but that is not the reality. Her action complies with ICC regulations and the laws of cricket."

Gunn, who has played six tests, 64 one-day internationals and 10 Twenty20 matches for England, took 3-50 against India last week - but she was little threat when Australia beat the English, who had already qualified for the final, by eight wickets, with Australia's Shelley Nitschke (37), Leah Poulton (38), skipper Karen Rolton (41 not out) and Alex Blackwell (38 not out) finishing in style, scoring 163-2 in 33 overs.

However, perhaps the most influence in today's final could be exerted by England's leading bat Claire Taylor and New Zealand's Suzie Bates who smashed that amazing 188 in the match against Pakistan where she shared a world record stand of 262 with New Zealand skipper Haidee Tiffen.

The Kiwis, contesting a fourth final in five series, lifted the trophy in 2000, beating Australia on home territory.