Johan Botha’s dodgy doosra has been cleared. At least until the next umpire calls him.
The South African spinner’s action had been ruled as suspect by match officials when the Dolphins played Botha’s Warriors in a first-class match earlier in October. Johanes Cloete and Marais Erasmus were the standing umpires, Ian Howell the reserve umpire (though he would not have had anything to do with the ruling) and Enver Mall the match referee.
Medium-pacer Rusty Theron was called in the same match, but his action has not been as controversial as Botha’s, who, ironically, was man of that match at St George’s Park in Port Elizabeth. Botha’s doosra and quicker ball were ruled illegal in May this year by umpires Rudi Koertzen, Brian Jerling and Asoka de Silva after the fourth ODI between South Africa and Australia.
He was tested at the University of Western Australia by Bruce Elliott, the biomechanist who examined Botha’s action when he was previously called in 2006.
The angle of Botha’s bent bowling arm was measured at 26.7 degrees by Elliott, and was banned until the bowler proved he could deliver it at a flexion limit of less than 15 degrees.
Botha was allowed to play in the World T20 and the Champions Trophy after his offbreak (12.2 degrees) and arm-ball (11.1 degrees) measured within the ICC’s parameters (the 15-degree limit originally agreed to, to allow Muttiah Muralitharan to continue playing). Botha also since signed an IPL contract with the Rajasthan Royals.
Somewhere along the line, however, Botha’s angle must have passed the 15-deg mark. Pass the protractor!
On Friday, both Botha and Theron were cleared by Cricket SA after preliminary results of the tests carried out under the eye of assistant coach Vincent Barnes at the Sports Science Centre in Cape Town.
It would be sad if the pair were called again. Both are outstanding competitors, especially Botha who has made his mark at international level, not only as a sound allrounder, but as an excellent captain (note his leadership during the ODIs in Australia earlier this year).

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