'Fifteen-degree rule should solve throwing problem'

Bruce Elliott, the biomechanics expert from the University of Western Australia, is of the opinion that "it is difficult to bowl the doosra without extending the arm by more than five degrees". In an e-mail interview with Cricinfo, Elliott stated that the proposed rule changes on throwing which have been put before the International Cricket Council should correct the problem. His opinion matches those of many critics and former cricketers who feel that it is impossible to bowl the doosra with the correct action within the ICC-prescribed limits.

"The change to 15 degrees should rectify the problem," said Elliott, who was approached on January 26 by the Indian board to work on Harbhajan Singh's bowling action. Harbhajan was reported by the match referee during India's recent series against Bangladesh, and a report on the remedial work done on his action needs to reach the ICC by February 18. Elliott admitted that he hadn't seen any tapes of Harbhajan's doosra so far, but indicated that the BCCI would soon work out a time-frame for him to work with Harbhajan.

The chief executives from the ten Test-playing countries are scheduled to meet in Melbourne from February 3-5 to discuss introducing a completely revamped process to deal with bowlers with suspect actions. The proposed system, based on recent tests on bowlers, would allow all bowlers a 15-degree arm-flex. Currently spinners are allowed a five-degree relaxation limit, medium-pacers ten, and fast bowlers 15. Asked which rule would be used to evaluate Harbhajan, Elliott was optimistic that the new guidelines would be used. "This will depend on the ICC, but I would anticipate the new rule."