ICC probes Botha action

Johan Botha appeals unsuccessfully against Ricky Ponting in South Africa's 61-run victory at Port Elizabeth yesterday

South Africa off-spinner Johan Botha has been reported for a suspected illegal bowling action by match officials following the fourth one-day international against Australia in Port Elizabeth yesterday.

The report was made by the two on-field umpires, Brian Jerling and Asoka de Silva, along with third umpire Rudi Koertzen. The officials expressed concern over the 26-year-old’s quicker ball and ‘doosra’.

The report will be handled under the International Cricket Council’s regulations for the review of bowlers reported with suspected illegal bowling actions. The player will now undergo independent analysis of his action by a member of the ICC’s panel of human movement specialists.

This will take place as soon as possible, and within a maximum period of 21 days from receipt by Cricket South Africa of formal notice of the report by the ICC.

Within 14 days of that independent analysis being carried out, the appointed specialist will supply the ICC with a written report advising the outcome of the biomechanical assessment. This will confirm whether the action used by the off-spinner in the fourth ODI was legal or illegal.

If the player is found to have been bowling with an illegal action he will be suspended from bowling in international cricket with immediate effect. He would have the option of applying to the ICC for a re-assessment of his bowling action at any time in order to return to bowling in the international game.

Botha will be allowed to play internationals until the biomechanical report has been completed, at the discretion of CSA.

This is the second time the player has been reported for a suspected illegal bowling action. It happened previously in January 2006 after the third Test against Australia in Sydney and he was suspended from bowling the following month when testing confirmed the officials’ suspicions.

Botha then underwent remedial action, was re-tested, his action at that time was found to be legal and he was able to resume playing the international game.