Johan Botha Cleared
Cricket South Africa (CSA) on Tuesday welcomed the decision by the International Cricket Council (ICC) to give Proteas spin bowler Johan Botha the green light to continue his career.
In terms of the decision of the ICC’s review process Botha has been asked not to bowl the doosra but will be able to continue his career normally in all other aspects.
The review process showed that the amount of elbow extension in Botha’s bowling action for both his off-break delivery and arm-ball was within the 15-degree level of tolerance. The mean elbow extension was 12.2 degrees for the off-break and 11.1 degrees for the arm-ball with no single delivery of those types proving to be illegal. None of his doosra deliveries fell within the legal limit.
“We welcome the positive outcome of the tests on Johan Botha after his citing by match officials towards the end of the recent tour by Australia,” commented CSA CEO Gerald Majola.
“CSA has the utmost confidence in Johan’s ability as a top-class off-spin bowler.
“The ICC tests have found fault with his doosra, and CSA and Johan will abide by this finding.
“But what is most important is that Johan remains available to play cricket at the highest level and continue to be an asset for the Proteas and his country.”
Botha said he was relieved and happy that the process had been completed. “I am looking forward to playing my next match for the Proteas and linking up with my team mates for the forthcoming ICC World T20 in England,” he commented.
“I have been bowling regularly in the nets and am happy with the way everything has been going.”
Proteas’ bowling coach Vinnie Barnes was also pleased that Botha had been cleared. “I don’ think the fact that he can no longer bowl the doosra will affect his career negatively. It is a delivery he does not bowl a great deal and, in fact, he only bowled it four times in the four home ODIs he played against Australia according to our research.
“We have an outstanding group of spin bowlers in our squad for the ICC World T20 and it is an exciting period for spin bowling in South African cricket.”
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can some one explain why he is not baned, not that i want hiim to be baned, but just wondering