Kirtley cleared of 'chucking'

Sussex paceman James Kirtley has been cleared by the England and Wales Cricket Board after further examination of his bowling action.

Last October Kirtley became the first England bowler to be reported under the new International Cricket Council regulations after doubts surfaced during the opening one-day international against Zimbabwe in Harare.

But after a meeting at Lord's today, the ECB's bowling review group concluded the 27-year-old should be allowed to continue bowling in both international and county cricket.

An ECB statement read: "James has worked very hard on his action under the guidance of ECB bowling advisor, Bob Cottam, biomechanical experts and the Sussex CCC coaching staff.

"The bowling review group concluded that James had significantly improved his action and that he should be free to continue bowling in county and international cricket."

The group will be now be forwarding an updated report to the ICC.