The ICC early this year approved changes in regulations dealing with suspect actions, and one of them was to relax the permissible level of straightening in a bowler's arm upto 15 degrees.

The game's world governing body claimed that this was the point at which straightening becomes visible to naked eye but Elliott said umpires on the field could see bending of much less degree.

Elliott also confirmed what has been spoken in hushed tones, that the new limit was adopted so as to allow majority of contemporary bowlers whose actions were suspect.

"The umpire can observe movements of 10-15 degrees. The 15 degrees was selected as it appeared to permit most bowlers, the great majority who have NOT been called, to continue bowling," Elliott told this news agency to a query by e-mail.

Asked specifically if there was any chance that straightening of less degree could be visible to the naked eye, Elliott said, "I think you can see 10 degrees but not five."