Australian coach John Buchanan backed proposed changes to cricket's throwing laws, rating the controversial reforms good for the game.

Buchanan, an admirer of bent-armed spinner Muttiah Muralitharan, felt the plans to soften the laws would help increase the variety of bowlers and deliveries in world cricket.

He indicated the International Cricket Council's recommendation that all bowlers be allowed to straighten their arms by up to 15 degrees would add a new dimension to the game.

"I believe it's exciting what Murali, Harbhajan (Singh) and Shoaib (Akhtar), and whoever else that has been under investigation, what they do in their bowling," Buchanan said.

"If bowlers can actually increase the variety of the type of deliveries they can bowl then that's a good thing for the game because that means batsmen have got to counter that with their own skills.

"It may mean that captains have got something else to work with.

"In a sense I think there's a real gain in it if it's handled correctly."

Typically open-minded, Buchanan's comments come after an outcry by former and current players against the recommendation which is set to be passed by the ICC Executive Members next February.

It is also at odds with opinions expressed by his own players who criticised the need to change the current tolerance levels that allow between only five degrees (spinners) and 10 degrees (fast bowlers) of flexion at the elbow.

Australia's leading fast bowler Glen McGrath said he was disappointed with ICC recommendation.

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