ICC World Twenty20: Respite for South Africa as Aaron Phangiso is cleared to bowl

New Delhi: South Africa breathed a huge sigh of relief as left-arm spinner Aaron Phangiso has been cleared to play at the ICC World Twenty20 tournament in India after an independent reassessment of his bowling action found it to be legal, Cricket South Africa (CSA) said on Tuesday.

The 32-year-old had failed tests carried out by the International Cricket Council (ICC) on March 1 having been reported by umpires in a domestic 50-over match in February 2016.

Phangiso has now been cleared to resume his career after his suspension from bowling. His action was in line to be re-tested and that has come good after the bowler worked with South Africa spin-bowling consultant Claude Henderson over the past week.

A relieved Phangiso said that it was a tough challenging few weeks for him.

"It's a huge relief to be cleared and to have my bowling action passed. It’s been a tough and challenging few weeks for me,” Phangiso said.

Phangiso, who is a part of the South African team for the ICC World Twenty20, said that he would like to use the next few days in getting back the confidence with some of the technical adjustments.

“I'd really like to use the next few days ahead of the (World Twenty20) tournament to gain playing confidence, especially with some of the technical adjustments we have made to my action.”

Meanwhile, Phangiso will also be available for South Africa’s series-deciding third Twenty20 international against Australia in Cape Town on Wednesday.

The three-match T20I series is tied at 1-1.

South Africa open their World Twenty20 campaign against England on March 18. They will also play Sri Lanka and West Indies in their pool.

(With agency inputs)