SYDNEY, Dec 24: Cricket Australia has charged Brisbane Heat coach Darren Lehmann with breaching its behaviour code after he questioned the bowling action of West Indian Marlon Samuels.

Lehmann made the remarks after the Heat’s loss to the Melbourne Renegades in Australia’s Twenty20 Big Bash League on Saturday night.

“He couldn’t bowl in the IPL (Indian Premier League) last year, yet he can bowl in the BBL,” he said post-match.

“We have got to seriously look at what we’re doing. Are we here to play cricket properly or what?

“If he is deemed legal, I’m totally understanding of that. But from my point of view, from 20 years’ cricket, I have got a problem with 120km/h off no steps.”

Cricket Australia said that under its rules a player or official must not “denigrate or criticise another player or denigrate or criticise an official, umpire, referee or team against which they have played or will play”.

“As the matter is now before the commissioner, CA will not be making any comment on the charge. The date and time of the hearing is yet to be determined,” the governing body said in a statement Monday.—AFP