Cricket: Williamson decision changes Cup balance

Kane Williamson. Photo / NZME.

Spinner cleared to bowl again in internationals after altering his action

The International Cricket Council's decision to allow Kane Williamson to bowl again changes the balance to any New Zealand XI at the World Cup and possibly the make-up of the final squad.

Williamson has spent five months modifying his action but it's understood the change was effortless due to his impressive kinesthetic awareness. That means he could adjust the position of his arm with ease while adapting the use of other muscles to compensate at the point of delivery.

Williamson is available to return to the bowling crease during the second one-dayer against Pakistan in Sharjah on Saturday where, as stand-in skipper, he joked he might take the new ball.

What's less mirthful is that he's effectively on probation until July 21, 2016, two years after the date of his first suspension. He will be suspended from bowling in international cricket for a minimum of 12 months if he's charged with a repeat offence.

Williamson's 23 wickets at 30.91 have become a useful wicket-taking option in ODIs. His economy rate of 5.49 is relatively expensive but he has dismissed batsmen such as Graeme Smith, Faf du Plessis, Ian Bell and Mahendra Singh Dhoni. He's taken wickets in nine of the last 13 matches in which he's bowled.

Tests last month showed Williamson had ironed out a kink in his action. Recent observers in the nets said his remodelled action - less round-armed, more over-the-top - had turned him into a better bowler.

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

He's relieved to put the saga behind him.

"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."

His return to the bowling crease could have a knock-on effect for at least one World Cup aspirant.

Anton Devcich, who bowls left-arm orthodox, may find that the ICC report has diminished his World Cup hopes.

It could also alter New Zealand's plans to carry two specialist spinners in their 15-man 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 Williamson is deemed 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.

The ICC report confirmed Williamson is capable of bowling his offspinner, arm ball and quicker delivery with an action which complies with the laws.

3 things the ICC noted

No issue
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.

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

Under scrutiny
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.