Trinidad and Tobago Legions fast bowler Joshua James has been suspended from bowling in all West Indies international and regional matches after being found to have an illegal bowling action during the ongoing West Indies Breakout League.
The 23-year-old pacer was reported by match officials following his side’s opening fixtures against the Barbados Pelicans on April 25 and the Guyana Rainforest Rangers on April 26 at the Brian Lara Cricket Academy in Tarouba.
A subsequent assessment, conducted at Loughborough University, confirmed that James’ action exceeded the permitted elbow extension limit as defined by the International Cricket Council (ICC).
Cricket West Indies (CWI) released a statement on Monday confirming the suspension, stating: “Deliveries exceeded the level of tolerance for extension of the elbow permitted under playing regulations.”
In line with ICC policy, James’ suspension will apply not only to CWI-sanctioned competitions but to all recognised domestic leagues globally, with immediate effect. The West Indies Breakout League is a developmental T20 tournament featuring franchise-style teams drawn from across the Caribbean.
As part of CWI’s protocol for suspect bowling actions, match footage and official reports are submitted to Loughborough University for expert analysis.
Six teams are competing in the T20 tournament – Barbados Pelicans, Guyana Rainforest Rangers, Jamaica Titans, Leeward Islands Thunder, Trinidad & Tobago Legions, and Windward Islands Infernos. Eligibility is restricted to players aged under 30 at the start of the 2025 competition, with limited professional experience—fewer than 40 List A T20 appearances and no more than 10 International T20 caps.
The initiative is designed to provide a stepping stone between domestic cricket, the Caribbean Premier League (CPL), and the international stage, with each side aligned to its respective territorial board and linked to a CPL franchise.
The top two sides at the end of the group stage will progress to the final on May 10.
