Why Australian Test spinner Matthew Kuhnemann was always sure his bowling action would be cleared

Test spinner Matthew Kuhnemann has revealed he was always confident his bowling action would be cleared by the ICC after he was reported during Australia's tour of Sri Lanka.

Kuhnemann enjoyed a breakout trip, shrugging off a thumb injury to take 16 wickets at 17.18, but was cited for a suspected illegal bowling action at the close of the second Test.

The 28-year-old, who had never been previously reported in his career, travelled to Brisbane for testing before the ICC declared his action to be legal.

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"I was very confident in my action. There was never a time when I was in trouble. I've bowled millions of balls in the nets and in the games and I know exactly what I'm doing," Kuhnemann told Declan Byrne of The Saturday Sledge.

"I was never devastated. I was coming off a massive high, it was more shock and surprise.

"I found out after the Test. There was a bit of shock, that was my first emotion. My next question was, 'what's the process, can I get in there as quickly as possible and get it over with?' because I've never doubted my action in my career.

"I was always keen to get in and get it over and done with so I could finish the [Sheffield Shield] season strong with Tasmania."

Kuhnemann was banned from bowling in international cricket while the investigation was taking place and used the time to rest and recuperate after a heavy bowling load in recent months.

Despite the drama, there was never any doubt in Kuhnemann's mind he would be cleared.

"There's a lot of cameras and sensors on your body, you bowl 20 or 30 balls, it's quite simple and you're in and out. They send it off to the mechanical experts and wait on the results," Kuhnemann said.

"I was always confident, I walked in confident and left confident. I wanted to get it done straight away and I'm very grateful to Cricket Australia for the support they gave me and to the ICC for letting me get in there straight away.

"I had a beer and moved on, booked a flight down to Tassie and got ready for the next Shield game."

The ICC will not release video or a detailed report of the inspection.

Kuhnemann was circumspect when asked if a stigma would follow him despite being cleared, pointing out that the results of the testing spoke for itself.

"I've passed the test. You accept the process, then you move on," Kuhnemann said.

"Everyone is allowed their own opinion but at the end of the day, I passed the test and now I can get on with my career."

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Kuhnemann's performance under duress in Sri Lanka was the best of his nascent Test career, especially given he carried a finger injury into the series.

Initially, there were doubts whether he'd be fit to make the trip at all after he suffered a compound dislocation to his right thumb in a Big Bash match.

"I was sitting in the physio room with a bone hanging out thinking, 'this couldn't have happened at a worse time', but that's cricket and these things happen for a reason," Kuhnemann said.

"It wasn't a whole lot of pain. You remind yourself you're in the baggy green and you do those things to help the team.

"Just wearing the baggy green again is such an honour that a little bit of pain is worth it."

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