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Thunder's Green better for BBL action ban

3 minute read

Chris Green spent six months fixing his action after being banned for bending his elbow, but the Sydney Thunder spinner is now a better bowler for the change.

Sydney Thunder spinner Chris Green claims forced changes to his bowling have added to his armoury after being ruled out of last year's Big Bash League because of an an illegal action.

Saturday will mark one year since Green was reported for having a suspect action in a game against the Melbourne Stars.

He was sent for testing and ultimately banned for three months after results showed a bend in his arm of more than 15 degrees.

Twelve months on and the story couldn't be any different for the 27-year-old.

Green claimed the best figures of his BBL career on Tuesday night against the Stars, with a return of 4-34.

It took the T20 specialist's haul in global leagues since his return to 19 scalps at an average of 20.5, far superior to his record before last summer.

"I was one of the few that probably took COVID as a blessing," Green told AAP ahead of the New Year's Day clash with the Melbourne Renegades.

"I had a six-month training block pretty much instead of three months to train hard and make the necessary changes.

"So it did take a lot of time. But I had the time to groove it and had the support to groove it.

Green spent months working alongside NSW bowling coach Anthony Clark, trying to take the silver lining out of the additional work before being cleared.

His changes in ensuring he has straightened his arm have been subtle but they have made a difference.

The right-armer's off-spinner and faster ball were the deliveries under review, and while he appears to get through the crease slightly quicker it is with far more control.

"The changes I made meant that my body is working together, rather than fighting against it," Green said.

"I've ensured that that's happening now and when it's all working together it gives me more opportunity to have control over the ball and execute.

"It has helped me incorporate new deliveries that I wasn't physically capable of doing before.

"I've now just got a better better shape on the ball and particularly in spinning conditions.

"In Australia I'm not really going to spin the ball much but overseas when conditions do help I am spinning the ball and feeling good."

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