Botha cleared of dodgy action

Johan Botha's bowling action has been given the green light, just over a week after it was questioned in a domestic first-class match.

The South Africa limited-overs vice-captain and his Warriors team-mate Rusty Theron were both sent for precautionary tests after their actions were reported by umpires Johanes Cloete and Marais Erasmus during a Supersport Series match against the Dolphins in Port Elizabeth.

Both players were examined in Cape Town under the supervision of the national bowling coach, Vincent Barnes.

It was the third time in his career that off-break bowler Botha had been reported, but he has again been given the go-ahead to continue playing.

"We are satisfied with the preliminary results of the tests carried out on their respective bowling actions," Gerald Majola, the chief executive officer of Cricket South Africa, said. "And these actions fall within the prescribed laws governing fair bowling."

The 27-year-old, who has played 48 one-day internationals and 15 Twenty20 internationals for the Proteas, was reported for a suspect quicker ball and doosra during the series against Australia earlier this year by umpires Rudi Koertzen, Brian Jerling and Asoka de Silva.

He was sent for testing in Australia and then banned from using the doosra. Botha's action was first called into question on his Test debut in the same country in 2006.