DURBAN, Sept 2: South African spinner Johan Botha will continue to work on his bowling action after International Cricket Council said he was still bending his arm beyond the stipulated 15 degrees.

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

The ICC had examined his revised action in August and it was hoped 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 the stipulated 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 at the Supercricket website.

“It's not good for cricket or psychological welfare of player to draw out the episode.”—Agencies