‘Turbanator’ given green light

ICC General Manager Dave Richardson has confirmed that Harbhajan Singh will be allowed to bowl in international cricket, provided he uses the same action he used during a biomechanics test conducted at the University of Western Australia in February.

“There is no doubt that the action analysed in the University of Western Australia showed Harbhajan bowling with an action that is in accordance with the regulations,” said Richardson.

Singh was reported for having a suspect action during the recent Home Test series against Pakistan, and his action was referred to independent bio-mechanics expert Marc Portus. In his analysis, Portus observed that there actually were differences between the action used in the match and the action used during the test, including the positioning of the feet and speed of delivery, but advised that the off-spinner be cleared because the evidence was inconclusive. He reportedly had qualms about the quality of the footage and the camera angles used.

Richardson said, “On this basis the ICC has advised that Harbhajan is able to bowl in international cricket provided his action is consistent with that in the University of Western Australia laboratory.

“Should his action deteriorate, it is possible that the match referees would again report him and this would raise the prospect of further bio-mechanical analysis.”

This, in all likelihood, means Singh is speeding down a highway to join English county side Surrey.

BCCI’s honorary secretary SK Nair was all praise for this decision, saying that his board “welcomes the ICC decision to allow Harbhajan to bowl in international cricket. BCCI firmly believes that no bowler is licensed to throw.”

“But at the same time, if a prima facie case cannot be established against the bowler, he should be allowed to play with a free mind.” Calling it a cricket-friendly decision, Nair said that it would “not only lift the morale of Harbhajan, but also the other bowlers around the globe.”

To make sure that Harbhajan Singh understands the concerns raised in the Portus report, Dave Richardson offered to meet with Singh and his coach, to go through the points raised. The BCCI has accepted this offer.