Batsmen become paranoid about the actions of bowlers, and being called a "chucker" is, for a bowler, akin to being called a cheat.Eradicating the problem for good will be almost as hard as losing the unfavourable tag that comes with being reported. When a bowler is strong and fresh his action tends to remain pure, but once the body becomes tired bad habits creep in. Each spent time working with a coach, changed their bowling action and returned to the game. Very few, if any, bowlers throw deliberately but this has not prevented it from becoming a taboo subject in cricket. The thought of jumping on a plane and going off with a one-way ticket somewhere is quite appealing but you can't do that."I've had a very successful career that I'm very proud of and I don't want something like this to put a slur on all that I have achieved."Since the ICC introduced a 15-degree tolerance level in 2004 several bowlers have been reported. The last time I did it I had a very successful summer so I can hopefully look forward to a successful 2006."At any time we can ask for a second analysis and if I am cleared I can continue to bowl Would this break a lesser man? It might well do. Yet should he fail he will have to undergo further coaching and pass a subsequent test before being allowed back in the game.It is not the first time Kirtley has been in this position.

Throughout his career there have been murmurings about the legality of his whippy action, and his England debut against Zimbabwe in October 2001 was overshadowed when he was reported by the match referee at the end of the one-day international."I'm frustrated to find myself in this position again," said Kirtley. "We just have to go about the right process and be confident of clearing my name I know what's involved and that'll put me in good stead. Kirtley was ordered to undergo biomechanical testing at Loughborough by the England and Wales Cricket Board after twice being reported by umpires during the summer. The tests concluded that Kirtley's right arm straightened by more than 15 degrees, the maximum level of extension permitted by the International Cricket Council, and he has been suspended from bowling until the problem has been corrected. Kirtley must now prove to the ECB that he has done so before he is allowed to bowl for Sussex in 2006. The 30-year-old will work on his action during the winter at the National Academy in Loughborough with Troy Cooley, the England bowling coach, and will be re-examined once the pair feel the problem is rectified.If Kirtley passes this test he will be free to play for his county.

Last month, the authorities raided a laboratory in Illinois headed by Patrick Arnold, who is known for introducing the steroid precursor androstenedione to the US.. James Kirtley, the former England fast bowler, is determined to amend his bowling action after failing an independent assessment on it at the end of the 2005 season. Greg Anderson, Barry Bonds' trainer, was expected to be sentenced to up to six months.US attorney Kevin Ryan in San Francisco has said the plea deals were spurred in part by weak steroid laws and by the fact that some of the chemicals were not banned at the time.Track coach Remi Korchemny is expected to get probation at a later date.The authorities are now targeting the alleged Balco suppliers. THG, a once-unknown steroid discovered in the investigation, is now banned throughout US sports.Conte pleaded guilty in July to money laundering and a steroid distribution charge; dozens of counts were dropped.James Valente, Balco's vice-president, was expected to get probation at yesterday's hearing after pleading guilty to reduced charges of steroid distribution. The case prompted professional sports to stiffen anti-doping policies and thrust performance-enhancing drugs into the spotlight. Two of the three remaining defendantswere also due to be sentenced. Conte started the Bay Area Laboratory Co-Operative, which court records show counted dozens of prominent athletes among its clients, including major league baseball's Barry Bonds and Jason Giambi, Olympic track champion Marion Jones and others.