ICC bans Botha's doosra delivery

Botha was reported for excessive levels of arm straightening

South Africa spinner Johan Botha will be allowed to continue playing international cricket despite his doosra delivery being declared illegal.

Botha's bowling was put under review by the International Cricket Council (ICC) after he was reported by match officials for a suspect bowling action.

The ICC ruled his doosra delivery broke cricket's laws but cleared Botha's standard off-break and arm-ball.

The South African is unlikely to appeal against the decision.

The doosra is a ball delivered by a finger spinner which turns like a leg-break rather than the regular off-break.

Botha admitted he was relieved the review had finished and that he could get back to concentrating on playing.

"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 said.

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"I have been bowling regularly in the nets and am happy with the way everything has been going."

Botha was reported after he took 1-48 during his team's 61-run victory in the fourth one-day international against Australia at Port Elizabeth in April.

Umpires Brian Jerling and Asoka de Silva and third umpire Rudi Koertzen were concerned about his quicker delivery and his doosra.

The South African has the right to appeal against the decision or apply for re-assessment of his doosra action after he has modified it.

However, any appeal is unlikely after Cricket South Africa (CSA) said it was happy with the ICC's decision.

"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," said CSA chief executive 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 was suspended for a month in 2006 for an illegal bowling action.

An independent report identified excessive levels of straightening in both his off-break and doosra.

Botha later underwent remedial action and was re-tested.

His action at that time was found to be legal and he was able to resume playing international cricket.