Johan Botha reported for doubtful bowling action in Australia, to undergo tests

Johan Botha bowling for the Redbacks in Sheffield Shield

South African off-spinner Johan Botha, who plays for the South Australia’s West End Redbacks, has been reported for a doubtful bowling action.

He will now undergo a biomechanical analysis under Cricket Ausralia’s Doubtful Bowling Action Procedure.

Cricket Australia’s latest rules state that if a bowler is reported for his action even once by the 3 umpires (in case of a non-TV match, 2 umpires) in the match, who agree to make a ‘mention’ of a doubtful bowling action and put their signatures on a report, the bowler must undergo testing.

The rule earlier put the minimum criteria for testing to three ‘mentions’ instead of one, but the requirements were changed from the current 2013-14 season onwards.

The rules state that after being notified, Botha has to undergo testing within the following 14 days, during which he can continue playing.

The bowler can be suspended for his action only after the reports of the bowling analysis conclude that the action is indeed illegal. The final decision will be based on the official report of the Doubtful Bowling Action Analysis.