JAMES Kirtley's bowling action is under scrutiny again.

The Sussex vice-captain is to be reported to the ECB after umpires Barrie Leadbeater and David Constant viewed video footage of Kirtley in action during Sussex's Championship game against Warwickshire which ended at Edgbaston yesterday.

The footage was taken from behind the arm and also side-on last Thursday and Friday and viewed by the umpires at the weekend when Warwickshire coach John Inverarity expressed his concerns after studying film taken by their own analysists.

Sussex's director of cricket Peter Moores said: "Cosmetically - in other words to the naked eye - James's action has always carried questions but we've proved scientifically when he's been filmed bowling at the required pace that his arm is well within the 15 degrees of movement which is legal."

Kirtley would have to be reported twice before he would be asked to undergo any further analysis of his action.

Moores added: "It will go through the system and we will do as we are directed but if it came to it I have every confidence that James would be cleared again. He is aware of the concerns which have been expressed here."

Kirtley underwent remedial work to correct a kink in his action after he was reported by an ICC match referee for throwing when he made his England debut in a one-day series in Zimbabwe five years ago.

He remains a prolific performer in domestic action and is two wickets short of claiming 500 in first-class cricket for the county.

Meanwhile wicketkeeper-batsman Tim Ambrose has been given permission to speak to other counties. The 22-year-old, frustrated at his lack of first team opportunities because of the form of Matt Prior, is out of contract at the end of the season and has turned down a year's extension.

Moores added: "I think Tim would like to stay at Sussex but he's a player who wants to keep wicket so he would be stupid not to consider his options and we would be stupid not to let him.

"He's been upfront about his intentions all along. He was keen to let his contract run out so he could decide his next move so we'll have to see what happens."