By IANS,
Johannesburg : South African off-spinner Johan Botha has been cleared to bowl by the International Cricket Council (ICC).
South Africa’s limited-overs vice-captain Botha had been cited for a suspected illegal action by umpires after the ODI against Australia in Port Elizabeth in April.
Botha was cleared after undergoing tests in Australia 10 days ago.
But he will not be allowed to bowl the ‘doosra’ delivery, the ball which turns away from the right-hander.
Proteas bowling coach Vincent Barnes said that although the official announcement had not yet been made, South African coach Mickey Arthur, attending an ICC meeting in London, had been informed that Botha had been conditionally cleared, according to media reports.
“Johan is over the moon, as I am,” Barnes said.
“We were confident that he would come through, but the testing now is quite different compared to 2006.”
The news is a boost for the team’s plans for the World Twenty20 competition in England in June.
The umpires concerned listed his ‘doosra’ and quicker deliveries as being in doubt. During the ODI series against Australia the spinner notably trapped Mitchell Johnson lbw with a superb ‘doosra’.
But Barnes said Botha had not been bowling the ‘doosra’ that often in competition recently.
“I think he bowled it only four times in his last four one-dayers. He relies a lot more on bowling the quicker ball,” Barnes said.
Botha will now concentrate on bowling the off-break and the arm-ball at varying speeds.
It was the second time that Botha was reported for illegal bowling action. Botha underwent remedial action and he was able to resume playing international cricket.