Cricket South Africa (CSA) has been informed by the International Cricket Council (ICC) that Proteas off-spinner Johan Botha has passed reassessment tests of his bowling action at the University of Western Australia in Perth and has now been cleared to bowl again in international cricket.
Botha was reported by match officials for a suspect bowling action during the third Test match between Australia and South Africa at the Sydney Cricket Ground in January 2006 and was later suspended from international cricket after independent tests concluded that his bowling action exceeded the level of tolerance permitted in the ICC regulations.
Gerald Majola, CSA’s CEO, said on Tuesday: ”We have received notification that Johan has passed his independent reassessment biomechanical tests in Perth where his first testing took place in terms of ICC regulations.
”We have been told that Johan is now capable of bowling both the off-break and ‘doosra’ within ICC tolerance levels, and that his suspension has consequently been lifted.
”This means that he can resume bowling in international cricket forthwith. This decision comes after very hard work over the past 10 months by Johan, working closely with coaches Vincent Barnes, Shafiek Abrahams and the Sports Science Institute of South Africa based at [the] University of Cape Town.”
Majola said that during his rehabilitation programme, Botha was sent to the United Kingdom for a second independent test and this showed that his action was still illegal.
”This came as a surprise because the tests done at UCT showed that his action was now within the ICC limits. He has also been bowling without being called in domestic cricket.
”Consequently, we decided to send him to be tested again in Perth, and the results have been positive”.
Botha said in a statement today: ”I am absolutely delighted at this result. It has been a very worrying and disappointing time for me, but I have had wonderful support from Gerald Majola and Brian Basson at CSA, Vincent Barnes, Shafiek Abrahams, friends and family.
”I’m glad it’s all over and I can get on with my bowling career”. — Sapa