Cricket: Williamson's return could have knock-on effect

Kane Williamson's return to the bowling crease could have an unfortunate knock-on effect for at least one World Cup aspirant.

While Williamson's offspinners have a part-time look to them, New Zealand's leadership group see it as a vital to the balance of their side. In that respect, Anton Devcich, who bowls handy left-arm orthodox, may find that the ICC report has diminished his World Cup hopes.

After a five-month ban Williamson is available to return to the bowling crease during the second one-dayer against Pakistan in Sharjah on Saturday.

Tests last month showed he had ironed out a significant kink in his action. In fact, observers of Williamson in the nets recently have said his remodelled action - less round-armed, more over-the-top - has turned him into a better bowler.

The report confirmed that the 24-year-old stand-in captain is capable bowling his offspinner, arm ball and quicker delivery with an action which complies with the laws.
The report also noted that:

• Should Williamson continue to bowl in matches with the same action as used in the laboratory re-test for these types of delivery, there should be no issue as they were all recorded as legal deliveries;

• He cannot be cleared without limitation in the future, as the bowler could revert to old habits;

• The umpires have been provided with images and video of his modified action and Williamson will be required to replicate this action;

• Williamson's action will be scrutinised by match officials like any other bowler. Match Officials will use the naked eye to determine whether his action complies with the Laws. The permitted degree of elbow extension is 15 degrees and that this level of tolerance was set at the point at which such elbow extension will begin to become noticeable to the naked eye. Any degree of extension which is visible to the naked eye must and will be reported.

• If this happens within two years of the date of his first suspension, up to July 21, 2016, and the independent analysis following the second report concludes that Williamson has used an illegal bowling action, he will be automatically suspended from bowling in International Cricket for a minimum period of 12 months.

Williamson's presence at the bowling crease is unlikely to alter New Zealand's plans of carrying two specialist spinners in their 15-man World Cup squad. The left- and right-arm orthodox of Daniel Vettori and Nathan McCullum are in pole position, but if selectors Mike Hesson and Bruce Edgar alter their thinking, the latter could be vulnerable if they think Williamson is capable of being more than a part-timer.

The news of Williamson's clearance effectively draws a line, injury-permitting, through the name of Rob Nicol who made the extended squad of 30.

Williamson worked with former England spinner Richard Dawson and former New Zealanc spinner Paul Wiseman to modify his action.

He's relieved to put the saga behind him.

"It's a good feeling. There's been a lot of work put into correcting the action, so it's nice to pass the test. In saying that, I guess there's still a lot of work to be done to improve my bowling so I can be an option.

"Once it [my bowling] was taken away it made me want it more. I'm now looking to get much more side-on at the crease so my arm can come through on a straight plane instead of being front-on and pushing it out.

"It's still important I get opportunities in matches to put the action under pressure so it becomes more natural."