Melbourne, Dec 14 (IANS): West Indies all-rounder Marlon Samuels has been suspended by the International Cricket Council (ICC) from bowling in international cricket for 12 months following an independent assessment of his action.

His action was tested at ICC’s accredited testing centre in Brisbane earlier this month.

The 34-year-old was assessed after the legality of his bowling action came under question by the match officials during West Indies’ first Test defeat against Sri Lanka in Galle (October 14-17). 

Following the match, Samuels was reported by the match officials and subsequently underwent the independent assessment.

"The assessment revealed that Samuel’s elbow extension exceeded 15 degrees while bowling and, thus, he employed an illegal bowling action," ICC said in a statement on Sunday.

Samuels was originally suspended from bowling his faster deliveries in international cricket in December 2013.

As this report constitutes the player’s second suspension within a two-year period, he is now automatically suspended from bowling in international cricket for a 12-month period.

Samuels is entitled to appeal any procedural aspect of the independent assessment that has led to this automatic suspension.

However, only after the expiry of this one-year period will he be entitled to approach the ICC for a re-assessment of his bowling action.

The West Indies are currently touring Australia.