“I understand the ICC move but the 15 degrees might have to be shifted up a bit, 20-25 degrees even”

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Former South Africa spinner Johan Botha has announced that he wants the International Cricket Council (ICC) to consider increasing the elbow flex limit from 15 degrees to about 20-25.

Botha, who is also South Australia’s captain, explained that he wants the ICC to increase the flex limit in order to allow bowlers to be more competitive.

“I wouldn’t wish it on any bowler, bowling for their careers. They are both world-class performers,” Botha told the Courier Mail. “In a game where batters are dominating it is exciting to see guys with different actions.

“I understand the ICC move but the 15 degrees might have to be shifted up a bit, 20-25 degrees even, I am not sure. You don’t want it blatant. However with all these guys going down and a World Cup around the corner, I, as a spectator, want to see batters working hard through the 15-40 over period when the game can die out.

“The variations of Muttiah Muralitharan and Shane Warne made people excited and come through the turnstiles. Doosras need to be looked at but for normal spin I don’t think a few degrees makes a lot of difference.”

Botha has had numerous problems with his own action throughout his international career. In fact, he was reported for having a suspicious bowling action in January 2006, which was just a short while after he made his Test debut, and was subsequently banned from bowling.

In August that year, Botha’s action was once again deemed illegal before he was cleared to start bowling again in November.

Fast forward to 2009 and Botha was reported once again. However, this time, he was only banned from bowling the doosra since it was the only delivery found to be over the 15-degree limit.

Botha even had his action tested last year while playing for South Australia. But, he was allowed to carry on bowling after his action was cleared by Cricket Australia.