Following Australia's 2-0 series win against Sri Lanka in Galle, Matt Kuhnemann's bowling action has come under scrutiny, with the spinner being reported to the ICC. Former Australian captain Tim Paine has defended Kuhnemann, drawing comparisons between his action and that of Indian bowler Jasprit Bumrah.

Kuhnemann, who took 16 wickets in the series, now faces biomechanical assessments to prove his action is legal. He can play Sheffield Shield cricket for Tasmania but is barred from ICC-sanctioned events until the test results are analyzed.

Paine suggested Kuhnemann's action is similar to Bumrah's, noting that Kuhnemann seems to hyperextend his arm rather than bend it. He expressed concerns that being accused of throwing could tarnish Kuhnemann's reputation.

Unnamed Sri Lankan players reportedly questioned Kuhnemann's action during the first Test, but their spin bowling coach found no issues. This has led to questions as to why the umpires reported the action only after the series.

Paine believes Kuhnemann is an "easy target" and that the scrutiny is a "token" gesture, given that bowlers with more questionable actions have played extensively without being penalized. Queensland coach Johan Botha, who faced similar issues, noted that the stigma of being reported can linger even if cleared.