Indian off-spinner Harbhajan Singh, under the International Cricket Council scanner for his bowling action, has been cleared by the cricket's world governing body.
Board of Control for Cricket in India president Ranbir Singh Mahendra said the decision was taken by the ICC on Saturday.
Also read: Marc Portus to study Harbhajan's action
Describing the decision as a "victory for the BCCI", Mahendra said the ICC accepted the arguments put forward by the Board in a missive sometime back.
"The ICC have upheld our stand. We are very happy," he said.
Mahendra said Harbhajan would not have to undergo any drill under a bio-mechanical expert.
"But as per the information with me, David Richardson will come from the ICC to have a word with him," he said.
"The BCCI 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. This cricket-friendly decision would not only lift the morale of Harbhajan, but also the other bowlers around the globe," said BCCI secretary S.K. Nair.
Meanwhile, in a statement, the ICC confirmed that Harbhajan will be able to continue to bowl in international cricket provided he uses an action consistent with that used in the bio-mechanical tests conducted at the University of Western Australia in February 2005.
ICC General Manager Cricket David Richardson said that while the differences in the actions were identified, independent bio-mechanist Marc Portus had advised that he could not reach a conclusive decision because of differences in the footage quality and the camera angles.
'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.
'The analysis of the action used during the Pakistan match identifies some differences including the position of the feet and the speed of the delivery.
'However, Mr Portus was unable to reach a definitive conclusion on the action used against Pakistan because of the quality of the footage and the camera angles used.
'On this basis the ICC has advised the BCCI that Harbhajan is able to bowl in international cricket provided his action is consistent with that used 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," said Richardson.
In order for Harbhajan to be given the opportunity to understand the points of concern raised in the Portus Report, the BCCI has accepted an offer from the ICC for Mr Richardson to meet with Harbhajan and his coach to go through the specific points raised in the report, the statement added.
'The chance to sit with Harbhajan and his coach to talk through the points raised will provide the best opportunity for to avoid concerns arising in the future,' said Richardson.
Harbhajan, whose action was reported for the second time in three months in March this year, had received wholehearted backing of the BCCI, which questioned the doubts raised on his bowling action even after the offie underwent the review process twice.
The Punjab bowler, who underwent corrective measures in 1998, was reported in December after the second Test against Bangladesh in Chittagong and again in March, in the second Test against Pakistan in Kolkata.
It made Harbhajan the first bowler to be reported under ICC's new regulations dealing with suspect bowling actions.
Under the revamped bowling review process, bowlers are allowed to straighten their arm upto 15 degrees while delivering.
The ICC had appointed Marc Portus to undertake initial bio-mechanical analysis of Harbhajan's bowling action.
Portus was asked to review all relevant match and bio-mechanical footage as well as any other relevant information on the bowler.
Also read:
ICC beaten by Harbhajan's doosra
I have lost my mental peace: Harbhajan
Harbhajan's bowling action okayed by ICC
ICC receives report on Harbhajan
Harbhajan will still bowl 'doosra': Wright
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