PROMISING Hawk James Sicily has been warned he could face a lengthy stint on the sidelines if he doesn’t straighten up.

His bowling action that is.

The 21-year-old off-spinner, one of the most talented slow bowlers on Hawthorn’s playing list, has been accused of bowling with a suspect action.

With the ability to turn the ball on glass – and an arsenal that contains the famous doosra – Sicily was seen as an important member of Jarryd Roughead’s Hawks Big Bash Team.

He had taken 21 wickets at an average of four in the Hawks’ trial games at the Ricoh Centre, before his action came into question.

Initial tests have revealed the young gun’s action narrowly breaks the International Cricket Council’s 15-degree allowance.

It’s a major blow for the Hawks Big Bash side, who have been forced to select an all-seam attack.

Chief selector Roughead said Sicily – who would likely have been the first-choice spinner in the Hawks’ T20 XI – needed to get things right quickly.

“We would have loved to have picked him, but unfortunately his action just isn’t up to scratch at the moment,” he said.

“We’re sending him off to get some tests and remedial work done, and we’re hopeful he can bounce back pretty quickly.”

Note: Some or all of the content in this article may have been made up.