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Last updated: 21:01 IST, Tuesday, February 09, 2010
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CSA heaves sigh of relief after ICC's Botha decision
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Johan Botha's 'doosra' might have been declared illegal but Cricket South Africa is relieved that the ICC has not banned the off-spinner altogether and has cleared his off-break and arm-ball deliveries.

"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," CSA CEO Gerald Majola said in a statement.

Botha, the vice-captain of South Africa's Twenty20 World Championship team, has been asked not to bowl the doosra but will be able to continue his career normally.

Botha's biomechanic tests revealed that the amount of elbow extension in his bowling action for both his off-break and arm-ball was within the 15-degree level of tolerance. But none of his doosra deliveries fell within the legal limit.

"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," Majola said.

"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," he added. Botha said he was also relieved that the process had been completed.

"I am looking forward to playing my next match for the Proteas and linking up with my teammates for the forthcoming ICC World T20 in England," he said.

"I have been bowling regularly in the nets and am happy with the way everything has been going," he added. Proteas' bowling coach Vinnie Barnes was also pleased that Botha had been cleared.

"I don't 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," Barnes said.

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