Shane Shillingford's off-break and arm balls are legal: ICC

Shane Shillingford of the West Indies (R) with Ross Taylor

The International Cricket Council today confirmed that following remedial work, an independent test has found the bowling action of the West Indies bowler Shane Shillingford to be legal and the off-spinner can now resume bowling in international cricket.

Shillingford’s off-break and arm balls were re-tested at the University of Western Australia (UWA) in Perth on 4 March 2014, and the elbow extension measured for each of his deliveries was within the 15-degree level of tolerance permitted under the ICC Regulations for the Review of Bowlers Reported with Suspected Illegal Bowling Actions.

Shillingford has confirmed that he will no longer bowl the Doosra. Therefore, his Doosra will remain an illegal delivery and he cannot bowl it in international cricket.

Shillingford was reported at the end of second day’s play in the Mumbai Test against India in November and was tested on 29 November 2013 at the UWA. All his delivery types were assessed as illegal and he was suspended from bowling in international cricket, and subsequently underwent remedial work to modify his action.

It is important to point out that under this process, as with all bowlers, Shillingford’s bowling action will continue to be scrutinised by match officials to ensure it remains legal.