Harbhajan’s action cleared

Indian off-spinner Harbhajan Singh’s action has been cleared as legal according to the new regulations brought into practice by the International Cricket Council (ICC) from this month.

Harbhajan was reported to the ICC by match referee Chris Broad after a Test in Bangladesh last December, with a suspect doosra.

Harbhajan was thought to be straightening his arm by 21 degrees while bowling his doosra, however tests done by biomechanics expert Bruce Elliott of the University of Western Australia last month have proved that he is under the new 15-degree limit, though only just marginally.

The ICC, in a statement said, “A report on the bowling action of India bowler Harbhajan Singh from the Board of Control for Cricket in India which indicates that his bowling action for both his off-spinner and `doosra’ falls within the tolerance threshold prescribed in its new regulations has been received by us.”