Saeed Ajmal cost Essex promotion to Division One, feels Paul Grayson

Ajmal cost Essex promotion, says Grayson

Oct 5, 2014

Paul Grayson, Essex head coach deemed that his team would have earned promotion to Division One, had the umpires been brave enough and reported against the illegal action of Saeed Ajmal for Worcestershire.

Ajaml, the Pakistan spinner who was of late banned by the International Cricket Council (ICC) for an illegal bowling action took 63 wickets in nine games for Worcestershire at the County Championship this year to beat Essex for the promotion to Division One, reports BBC.

“I’ve no doubt that if Worcestershire didn’t have Ajmal, we would have gone up this year. They’ve struggled in the second half of the season when he was supposed to be away with Pakistan. I don’t want to sound like we’re being bitter, but I do believe we should have gone up this year.” Grayson told BBC Essex.

Ajmal, 36, did not play for Worcestershire after mid-July as he was with Pakistan for the Test series against Sri Lanka; but his actions were reported after his team lost to Lanka. Consequent tests revealed that the bend of his arm exceeded the permitted 15 degrees in the game.

“He’s been called for chucking; it’s illegal. My only concern is I wish one of our English umpires had the bravery to call him early season.” said Grayson.

“Speaking to a lot of umpires on the circuit, they all talk about him chucking it, but whether they had that support from the ECB [England and Wales Cricket Board]. I’m not sure why they weren’t prepared to call him.” he added.

Worcestershire, who finished second in Division Two were promoted to Division One. They finished eight points ahead of Essex leaving them behind in the second tier for another season.