Botha awaits green signal from the ICC

Johan Botha, the South Africa offspinner, could return to international cricket soon, after his revised bowling action was examined by the ICC a fortnight ago. Russel Domingo, Botha's coach of the domestic side Warriors, has expressed confidence that Botha's amended action would be cleared by the ICC.

"Some amendments were made and his new action has passed all the tests we have done so far," Domingo was quoted as saying by News24. "Johan worked really hard during the winter and one can see he is hungry to start bowling. We are confident that he will be able to play a major role for us again."

Botha was called for throwing in his Test debut against Australia at Sydney in January this year, and was subsequently banned by the ICC after scientific tests in Perth proved that his action required remedial measures. Botha was assisted by Vincent Barnes, the assistant coach of the South African national team, Tim Noakes, the head of the Institute for Sports Science in Cape Town, and Shafiek Abrahams, the former South African spinner. The results of the test should be announced soon.