ICC reviews chucking law

But the ICC — which ordered a review of the throwing laws after a spate of cases in recent years — added that the committee’s decision to overhaul the system would also include changes in the testing and reviewing procedures. This means that a shorter review process, under the ICC’s central control, will call for immediate suspensions for bowlers found to have illegal actions.

It has also recommended that the issue should be dealt with at the regional Under-19 level.

‘‘The ICC has got it spot on. This is as good a solution as we can get,” said biomechanics expert and former Western Australian coach Darryl Foster, who worked expensively with Muthiah Muralitharan and Shoaib Akhtar.

‘‘With this new ruling Murali will now be in the clear once and for all’’, Foster told The Sunday Express. ‘‘He straightens his arm by 10 degrees for the doosra and the new ruling should put to rest all doubts about his action. (Shoaib) Akhtar, though, is another kettle of fish and because of his hyperextension does not fall under this ruling.’’

ICC Chief executive Malcolm Speed also hailed the contentious rule change as a breakthrough for cricket and admitted that the game had never come to terms with the issue that has afflicted the sport for over 60 years.

‘‘Every time it comes up there are emotional reactions from people around the world based on fear and ignorance and I’ve no doubt we will see them all again this time’’, Speed said in a statement.

Foster believes that the new ruling proves that biomechanics has won hands down.

‘‘Biomechanics proved that it is humanly impossible not to straighten the arm while bowling. The ICC has finally accepted it and that augurs well for all.’’

An expert panel comprising Aravinda de Silva, Angus Fraser, Michael Holding, Tony Lewis, Tim May and David Richardson found most modern bowlers broke the rules in some way but the laws to determine whether their action was legal were murky and unworkable.

However, the panel found that the measurements set were undetectable to the naked eye and therefore recommended the levels be standardised at 15 degrees.

‘‘These recommendations have come from people who have played the game at the highest level and who have a deep appreciation of the issues’’, said Sunil Gavaskar, chairman of the ICC’s Cricket Committee that reviewed the proposals put forward by the panel.

‘‘While the scientific evidence presented made the case for changing the current bowling review process compelling, it is a cricketing decision, proposed by cricketers for cricketers.’’