USA: Nisarg Patel’s bowling action cleared by ICC

USA Cricket All Rounder Nisarg Patel

Nisarg Patel has been cleared by the International Cricket Council to resume bowling again in international cricket.

Originally suspended by the ICC from bowling following USA’s loss to Oman in Nepal on February 11, 2020, Nisarg was again found to have an illegal bowling action during a reassessment in November.

Nisarg was reported for violating Law 21(3 ) of The Laws of Cricket for bowling with an illegal action (throwing), and assessed according to article 4.7 of the ICC Regulations for the Review of Bowlers with Suspected Illegal Bowling Actions.

In one of USA’s few bright spots during their ICC Cricket World Cup League 2 tri-series in Nepal last February, Nisarg scored 52 from 36 balls in a 92 run loss to Oman, his country’s fastest ODI half-century to date.

‘I have been working hard trying to remodel my action since it was reported,’ Nisarg told Emerging Cricket. ‘(USA Men’s Coach) JAK has been of immense help and (we’ve) been having regular sessions with him. This break has not only given me a chance to clear my action, but also work on some technical improvements. I think the new remodelled action has also allowed me to develop certain new deliveries, as compared to before, with more confidence.’

One of only a handful of former USA U19 players in the senior team setup, the left-arm orthodox all-rounder has been stronger with the ball in his eight ODI appearances, taking seven wickets at an average of 19.71 and an economy rating of 4.75 runs per over. Nisarg has performed even better in his four T20i appearances, holding batters to a 4.69 Economy Rating, with five wickets across 13 overs, good for a wicket every 15.6 balls bowled.

The good news for Nisarg comes just in time for the USA Men’s Training Group exercises, scheduled for now to take place in Houston prior to USA’s CWCL2 trip to Oman in March.

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