Pakistan have moved to clarify Saeed Ajmal's comments over the degree of tolerance the ICC allow him in his controversial bowling action.
ICC regulations allow a bowler to straighten their bowling arm by a maximum of 15 degrees, but Ajmal appeared to suggest the ICC allowed him 23.5 degrees of movement.
However, an old accident prevents Ajmal straightening his arm completely, which means that while his forearm is at an angle of 23.5 degrees to his upper arm the actual amount of straightening is within the 15 degrees permitted.
Pakistan Team Manager Naveed Akram Cheema said in a statement: ''The ICC's level of tolerance of 15 degrees relates to the degree of elbow extension that is permitted in the bowling action i.e. the amount by which the arm is straightening.
"Previous tests conducted on the action of Saeed Ajmal show that the degree of elbow extension is well within ICC's tolerance levels.
"Saeed Ajmal was referring to the angle of elbow abduction i.e. the angle of the upper arm to the forearm and not the degree of elbow extension. This angle is approximately 23 degrees in Saeed's case.''
ICC cricket general manager David Richardson confirmed this, saying: ''There is a big difference between the 'elbow carry angle' (elbow abduction) and the degree of elbow extension. There is nothing preventing a bowler bowling with a bent arm, provided he does not straighten it beyond the permitted degrees of tolerance.''
Off-spinner Ajmal took 24 wickets in Pakistan's 3-0 series whitewash against England, with the legitimacy of his doosra - which spins away from the right-hander - called into question.
And Ajmal, who had his action reviewed by the ICC in 2009, told the BBC Sport website: "Someone is telling me my action is bad, but the ICC allow me to bowl 23.5 degrees because my arm is not good, but that's my problem.
"Apart from that there is no problem with my action, it has been cleared by the ICC."
However, an old accident prevents Ajmal straightening his arm completely, which means that while his forearm is at an angle of 23.5 degrees to his upper arm the actual amount of straightening is within the 15 degrees permitted.
Pakistan Team Manager Naveed Akram Cheema said in a statement: ''The ICC's level of tolerance of 15 degrees relates to the degree of elbow extension that is permitted in the bowling action i.e. the amount by which the arm is straightening.
"Previous tests conducted on the action of Saeed Ajmal show that the degree of elbow extension is well within ICC's tolerance levels.
"Saeed Ajmal was referring to the angle of elbow abduction i.e. the angle of the upper arm to the forearm and not the degree of elbow extension. This angle is approximately 23 degrees in Saeed's case.''
ICC cricket general manager David Richardson confirmed this, saying: ''There is a big difference between the 'elbow carry angle' (elbow abduction) and the degree of elbow extension. There is nothing preventing a bowler bowling with a bent arm, provided he does not straighten it beyond the permitted degrees of tolerance.''
Off-spinner Ajmal took 24 wickets in Pakistan's 3-0 series whitewash against England, with the legitimacy of his doosra - which spins away from the right-hander - called into question.
And Ajmal, who had his action reviewed by the ICC in 2009, told the BBC Sport website: "Someone is telling me my action is bad, but the ICC allow me to bowl 23.5 degrees because my arm is not good, but that's my problem.
"Apart from that there is no problem with my action, it has been cleared by the ICC."
ICC deny Ajmal's claims
However, an ICC spokesman has denied any special case has been made for Ajmal, confirming there are no exceptions to the world governing body's rules.
"It is 15 degrees and anything over 15 degrees is not allowed," the spokesman said. "At no stage have the ICC allowed any bowler to exceed the 15 degree limit."
Ajmal's doosra caused particular alarm with former England captain Bob Willis questioning its legitimacy.
The off-spinner, who had his action reviewed by the ICC in 2009, yesterday told the BBC Sport website: "Someone is telling me my action is bad, but the ICC allow me to bowl 23.5 degrees because my arm is not good, but that's my problem.
"Apart from that there is no problem with my action, it has been cleared by the ICC."
England coach Andy Flower, who was equivocal on the subject when the controversy first broke over Ajmal's action during the first Test last month, was today astounded at the suggestion he might receive extra leniency from the ICC.
However, one explanation for the confusion may lie in the fact that Ajmal can no longer straighten his arm to the perpendicular, only to within 8.5 degrees, which would mean the permitted 15 degrees would begin at the 23.5 he quotes.
Further clarification on the matter would clearly be helpful, because mention of a 23.5-degree limit did not find favour with Flower.
"If that's the degree, then there's a problem," he said. "That's ridiculous. That is an ICC issue, though.
"They are there to police the game and make sure that it is played within the rules so they've got to scrutinise his action.
"We've all got our own views, but our job is to combat whoever is put against us."
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