Follow UsIreland women’s cricket suffered a major blow after 18-year-old left arm spinner Aimee Maguire was suspended by ICC for an illegal bowling action.
Maguire is now banned from bowling in international cricket with immediate effect. She was reported for a suspect action in the first ODI against the Indian women played in Rajkot on January 10. She even picked three wickets for 57 runs in that game, snapping Jemimah Rodrigues, Harleen Deol and Pratika Rawal.
After being reported, Maguire was also withdrawn from Ireland’s U19 squad that travelled to Malaysia for the ICC Women’s U19 World Cup. She then went to ICC-accredited testing centre in Loughborough where it was found that her elbow extension is more than the permissible 15-degree level of tolerance permitted by the regulations.
“In accordance with clause 6.1 of the regulations, Aimee is immediately suspended from bowling in international cricket," an ICC release said, as quoted by ESPNCricinfo.
"Her suspension will remain in effect until she undergoes a re-assessment of her bowling action which confirms that she can bowl with a legal action."
Cricket Ireland also released a statement later and informed about the next steps in store for Maguire as she goes through a remedial programme to correct her bowling action that will be led by National Women’s Spin Bowling Coach James Cameron-Dow.
"It is critical that Cricket Ireland provide Aimee with the highest level of support throughout the remedial process," Graeme West, Director of High Performance at Cricket Ireland, said.
"A programme has already been designed that will fit alongside Aimee’s educational commitments as she prepares to complete her Leaving Certificate in the summer. James Cameron-Dow and the support team we put around Aimee will work tirelessly towards developing a safe, repeatable and legal action that will return her to the international stage playing alongside team-mates who have already provided huge support and encouragement."
Maguire has taken 16 wickets in 11 ODIs and nine wickets in nine T20Is for the Ireland senior women. Her sister Jane Maguire has also represented Ireland and has played 41 international white ball games.
Note: This article was edited after being published earlier to include Cricket Ireland's statement.