Botha's bowling action not legal: ICC

Tests have confirmed that he continued to bend his arm more than 15 degrees.

South African spinner Johan Botha will continue to work on his bowling action after the International Cricket Council said he was still bending his arm beyond the stipulated 15 degrees.

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Botha had been working on his action since he was reported for suspect action in his debut Test against Australia at Sydney in January 2006.

The ICC had examined his revised action in August and it was hoped that he would soon return to international cricket. But further tests done towards the end of August confirmed that he continued to bend his arm more than 15 degrees.

"We're very disappointed and will do everything possible to get Johan back in action as soon as possible," Brian Basson, Cricket South Africa's General Manager, was reported as saying in 'Supercricket' website.

"It's not good for cricket or the psychological welfare of the player to draw out the episode."

Botha had started out as a medium pacer but switched to spin on the advice of coach Mickey Arthur. He last played international cricket in the VB series against Sri Lanka at Hobart in February 2006.