ICC clears Lee's action

Australian fast bowler Brett Lee has been cleared of a suspect bowling action by the International Cricket Council, the Australian Cricket Board said here Wednesday.

ACB chairman Malcolm Speed said at a press conference that the ICC's illegal deliveries panel had given the all-clear to Lee's action after meeting by international phone hook-up for 75 minutes on Tuesday.

The panel of former international cricketers had earlier scanned real time and slow motion video of his bowling action and ruled that it was legal.

"The panel determined that Lee did not have a problem with his bowling action," said Speed.

The decision means that the Aussie speedster does not need to undergo remedial coaching ahead of this month's three-match limited overs international series against South Africa here.

The international panel included chairman Sunil Gavaskar of India, a member of each Test playing country (10), and an umpires' representative. Only Test-playing country members voted.

Lee participated in the international hook-up, and Australian great Dennis Lillee also gave evidence in his defence.

Lee's action was investigated following a report on him during Australia's Test and one-day series in New Zealand last March-April.

The two Indian umpires who officiated in the series -- Arani Jayaprakash and Srinivas Venkataraghavan -- made their report to match referee Mike Denness, who forwarded his concerns to the ICC.

Speed said it was still a possibility the same process could occur again. "That's something which is an occupational hazard of being the world's fastest bowler," Speed said.

Lee, 23, said the most important thing now was to just get out and take more wickets. He said he had fully recovered from ankle surgery in May and was ready to bowl at full pace against the South Africans.

Lee topped Australia's bowling averages during the Test series against New Zealand, which Australia won 3-0. He took 18 wickets at an average of 17.44. The New South Wales fast bowler had an outstanding debut Test season last summer, capturing 31 wickets at an average of 16.06.

Mail Cricket Editor