Cricket-ICC clears South Africa's Botha to bowl

JOHANNESBURG, Nov 21 (Reuters) South Africa off spinner Johan Botha has been cleared by the International Cricket Council (ICC) to resume bowling at international level.

The 24-year-old was suspended in February for having an illegal bowling action but, after extensive remedial work, he has had his action re-assessed twice in the past four months.

The ICC said today that ''improvements had been made to the bowling action for both the off break and 'doosra' deliveries and Johan was capable of bowling within ICC levels of tolerance''.

''I'm very happy to be cleared, bringing to an end a very tough time for me,'' Botha told Reuters. ''This difficult time has strengthened me, but I'm looking forward to playing without having the suspension hanging over my head.'' An ICC statement said the permission to resume bowling was conditional on Botha using an action consistent with the one used when he was assessed earlier this month.

''All bowlers are subject to further reporting if the match officials are of the view that they have concerns about whether a delivery or deliveries conform to the Laws of Cricket when observed with the naked eye,'' the ICC statement said.

South African team management welcomed the ICC decision.

''We backed him and we're all very relieved for Johan. It's great to have him back in the frame and he'll be competing for a place,'' said national coach Mickey Arthur.

Cricket South Africa had allowed Botha to play domestic cricket, pending the outcome of testing at two independent ICC-approved facilities, because his action was shown to be legal by testing at the Sports Science Institute of South Africa in Cape Town in August.

He helped the Eastern Cape Warriors into the final of South Africa's domestic day/night limited overs competition, where he produced a heartening spell of two for 20 in his nine overs against the Western Cape Cobras last weekend.

''That's probably the best I've bowled the whole season and hopefully I can build on that in the four-day matches coming up.

They should allow me to bowl quite a few overs and help me to get the new action grooved under the pressure and tension of a match situation,'' Botha said.

Botha has played 11 one-day internationals and made his test debut in Australia last season.

REUTERS SP KP2204