Botha Suspended From Bowling By ICC
South Africa's Johan Botha. REUTERS/David Gray/Files Picture Supplied by Action Images
Mr Botha’s suspension is with immediate effect after independent analysis found that he was bowling with an illegal action during South Africa’s Third Test match against Australia in January.
ICC General Manager – Cricket, David Richardson, said that the ban will apply until Mr Botha can be shown to have remedied his action.
“The independent report has identified excessive levels of straightening in both his off-break and doosra deliveries,” said Mr Richardson.
“It is now up to Johan to remedy the concerns that have been identified ahead of a reassessment which will be necessary if he is to return to international cricket.
“Johan is a young player and there is nothing to stop him making a successful return to international cricket with a remodelled action.”
This was the first time that Mr Botha has been reported under the regulations for the review of bowlers with suspected illegal actions.
Mr Botha is now suspended from international cricket with immediate effect until such time as he has submitted to fresh independent analysis to establish that he has remedied his action. The timing of any re-assessment is at the discretion of the United Cricket Board of South Africa and the player.
The initial report was made on 6 January by on-field umpires Billy Bowden and Aleem Dar, TV Umpire Bob Parry and ICC Match Referee Chris Broad. The independent analysis was conducted at the University of Western Australia (UWA) on 1 February by a team led by Professor Bruce Elliott.
If a player does not accept the conclusions of the independent assessment he is entitled to a hearing of the Bowling Review Group. This must be lodged with the ICC within 14 days of receipt of the report by the player’s board.
If Mr Botha returns to international cricket and is subsequently found to have been bowling with an illegal action within 24 months he is automatically banned for a minimum of one year.
Botha is the fifth player to have undergone an independent review of his action since a new process for the review of suspected illegal actions was introduced in March 2005. The other players are Harbhajan Singh, Shabbir Ahmed, Shoaib Malik and Jermaine Lawson.
Full details of the Procedure for the Review of Bowlers with Suspect Bowling Actions are available in the rules and regulations section of the ICC website, www.icc-cricket.com
