Harbhajan Singh has been cleared of making racist comments and, as a result, has had his three-match ban rescinded, according to the Board of Control for Cricket India (BCCI).
Harbhajan had been accused of calling Australia all-rounder Andrew Symonds a "monkey" during the second Test in Sydney.
However, after an appeal at the Federal Court in Adelaide the charge was downgraded to one of using abusive language and Harbhajan has been fined 50% of his match fee as a lesser punishment.
VR Manohar, Harbhajan's counsel, said: "BCCI made it clear during the hearing that racism charge was like laying blame on the board and the nation, and should be dropped."
Match umpires Mark Benson and Steve Bucknor had brought the charge against Harbhajan under section 3.3 of the ICC code of conduct after receiving a complaint from Australia captain Ricky Ponting on day three of the Sydney Test when the spinner was batting alongside Sachin Tendulkar.
Harbhajan was ushered into the Federal Court on Tuesday morning without making any comment to the media, and was followed in soon after by Tendulkar.
The Australian team members had arrived earlier, while Ponting left the hearing shortly after noon, again without making any comment.
Cricket Australia spokesman Peter Young is keen for both sides to put the unsavoury incident behind them and concentrate on the triangular series involving the two teams and Sri Lanka looming on the horizon.
"All parties will move on with the cricket," Young said. "The game is the important thing."
Thursday, January 31, 2008
Thursday, January 24, 2008
Brillant Century By the Little Master Sachin
India finish day one at 309 for five with Sachin Tendulkar unbeaten on 124 - his 39th Test ton. Sachin alond VVS Laxman put on a 100-plus partnership after India were reduced to 156 for four at one stage. Laxman got out when he set for a big score.
The good thing for India is that the Little Master is still there. Dhoni's at the other end, who was dropped by Hayden.
The good thing for India is that the Little Master is still there. Dhoni's at the other end, who was dropped by Hayden.
Wednesday, January 23, 2008
Adelaide Test : Can India Square the series
Australia and India are both set to gamble on recalled players in their fourth and final Test at the Adelaide Oval, starting here Thursday.
Trailing 2-1 but determined to square the series, India seem almost certain to recall spinner Harbhajan Singh after relegating him to 12th man duties for the third Test at the WACA Ground.
If India win in Adelaide, it will be the first time since the two sides met in 2003-04 that the Australians have failed to win a home series.
Harbhajan was suspended for three Tests following the contentious second Test in Sydney, but is free to play pending an appeal that appears certain to be heard after the series.
His absence enabled India to play three fast bowlers in Perth and while the move worked as the Indians broke Australia's 16-match winning streak with a 72-run victory, the seamers are less likely to have a major impact here.
India may drop struggling opener Wasim Jaffer and reshuffle its top order, enabling Mahendra Singh Dhoni to bat at six and all-rounder Irfan Pathan at seven, or they could axe a fast bowler.
Either way, Harbhajan is likely to be wanted to partner captain Anil Kumble with the spin duties, despite Virender Sehwag's pivotal cameo with the ball in Perth.
Trailing 2-1 but determined to square the series, India seem almost certain to recall spinner Harbhajan Singh after relegating him to 12th man duties for the third Test at the WACA Ground.
If India win in Adelaide, it will be the first time since the two sides met in 2003-04 that the Australians have failed to win a home series.
Harbhajan was suspended for three Tests following the contentious second Test in Sydney, but is free to play pending an appeal that appears certain to be heard after the series.
His absence enabled India to play three fast bowlers in Perth and while the move worked as the Indians broke Australia's 16-match winning streak with a 72-run victory, the seamers are less likely to have a major impact here.
India may drop struggling opener Wasim Jaffer and reshuffle its top order, enabling Mahendra Singh Dhoni to bat at six and all-rounder Irfan Pathan at seven, or they could axe a fast bowler.
Either way, Harbhajan is likely to be wanted to partner captain Anil Kumble with the spin duties, despite Virender Sehwag's pivotal cameo with the ball in Perth.
Tuesday, January 8, 2008
Indian board to appeal Harbhajan ban
The Indian cricket board on Monday vowed to appeal against the three-Test ban slapped on Harbhajan Singh for racially abusing Australia's Andrew Symonds during the ill-tempered Sydney Test.
The Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) said it did not accept the findings of match referee Mike Procter and would lodge a protest with the International Cricket Council (ICC).
"The Indian board does not accept the findings of the match referee and has decided to challenge the unfair decision to suspend Harbhajan Singh as it deems it patently unfair," BCCI secretary Niranjan Shah said in a statement.
"The board will appeal to the ICC to review the decision of the match referee and suspend its operation until the appeal is disposed of."
Harbhajan, 27, was found guilty under the ICC's code of conduct following a clash with Symonds on the third day of the acrimonious second Test at the Sydney Cricket Ground (SCG) which Australia won by 122 runs Sunday.
The charge was laid by match umpires Mark Benson and Steve Bucknor after Australia captain Ricky Ponting accused Harbhajan of making a "monkey" comment at Symonds, the only black player in the home team.
Following a four-hour hearing held at the SCG, Procter delivered his judgement.
The BCCI said it would not tolerate "unfair" treatment of any of its players while also questioning the manner in which the hearing was conducted.
"The Indian board realises the game of cricket is paramount but so too is the honour of the Indian team. To vindicate its position, the board will fight the blatantly false and unfair slur on an Indian player.
"The board also questions the very conduct of the hearing as the match referee, before reaching his decision, disregarded the essential point of any inquiry, that it should be based on facts, rational, detached and objective."
The BCCI has also said it will lodge an official complaint against "incompetent" umpiring in the Sydney Test.
The Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) said it did not accept the findings of match referee Mike Procter and would lodge a protest with the International Cricket Council (ICC).
"The Indian board does not accept the findings of the match referee and has decided to challenge the unfair decision to suspend Harbhajan Singh as it deems it patently unfair," BCCI secretary Niranjan Shah said in a statement.
"The board will appeal to the ICC to review the decision of the match referee and suspend its operation until the appeal is disposed of."
Harbhajan, 27, was found guilty under the ICC's code of conduct following a clash with Symonds on the third day of the acrimonious second Test at the Sydney Cricket Ground (SCG) which Australia won by 122 runs Sunday.
The charge was laid by match umpires Mark Benson and Steve Bucknor after Australia captain Ricky Ponting accused Harbhajan of making a "monkey" comment at Symonds, the only black player in the home team.
Following a four-hour hearing held at the SCG, Procter delivered his judgement.
The BCCI said it would not tolerate "unfair" treatment of any of its players while also questioning the manner in which the hearing was conducted.
"The Indian board realises the game of cricket is paramount but so too is the honour of the Indian team. To vindicate its position, the board will fight the blatantly false and unfair slur on an Indian player.
"The board also questions the very conduct of the hearing as the match referee, before reaching his decision, disregarded the essential point of any inquiry, that it should be based on facts, rational, detached and objective."
The BCCI has also said it will lodge an official complaint against "incompetent" umpiring in the Sydney Test.
Friday, January 4, 2008
Day 2: India batsman fight back; Laxman Century
V.V.S. Laxman led an Indian counter attack with his third consecutive century at the Sydney Cricket Ground to slow Australia's push for a record-equalling 16th straight Test victory Thursday.
The 33-year-old batting craftsman from Hyderabad fully stretched Ricky Ponting's team at the SCG with classic strokeplay for his 12th hundred in his 88th Test match.
Laxman relished his return to the venerable ground, producing his trademark sumptuous drives, scoring 109 off 142 balls with 18 fours to breathe new hope into the tourists after Australia's formidable first innings total of 463.
Before Laxman's arrival shortly after lunch on the second day of the second Test, Andrew Symonds had dominated with his unconquered 162 in Australia's innings.
But the Indian right-hander joined Rahul Dravid at the crease to restore morale after the tourists' 337-run drubbing in the first Test in Melbourne.
Laxman and Dravid fell late in the day, six minutes apart. Dravid was out for a battling 53, caught at first slip by Matthew Hayden off Mitchell Johnson, and Laxman was taken by Mike Hussey off leg-spinner Brad Hogg.
At stumps on day two, India were 216 for three and trailing by 247 runs with Sachin Tendulkar on nine and Sourav Ganguly not out 21.
"Getting a hundred on this ground previously definitely gives you a boost because you've done well and it's familiar conditions. It gives you a lot of confidence," Laxman said.
"I was disappointed that we lost two quick wickets because I really wanted to be not out and carry on tomorrow.
"It's very important how we start off tomorrow morning. If they can build a big partnership we can have a big first innings total and put pressure on the Aussies.... I'm sure Sachin Tendulkar is going to get a double (century) tomorrow."
Laxman and Dravid, who have proved Australia's nemeses with two huge partnerships in the past, amassed 175 runs for the second wicket.
Australia 1st innings (376 for 7 overnight)
P. Jaques c Dhoni b Singh 0
M. Hayden c Tendulkar b Singh 13
R. Ponting lbw b Harbhajan 55
M. Hussey c Tendulkar b Singh 41
M. Clarke lbw b Harbhajan 1
A. Symonds not out 162
A. Gilchrist c Tendulkar b Singh 7
B. Hogg c Dravid b Kumble 79
B. Lee lbw b Kumble 59
M. Johnson c Ganguly b Kumble 28
S. Clark lbw b Kumble 0
Extras b2, lb9, w4, nb3 18
Total all out, 112.3 overs 463
Fall of wkts: 1-0, 2-27, 3-119, 4-119, 5-121, 6-134, 7-307, 8-421, 9-461
Bowling:
Singh 26-3-124-4 (1nb, 1w)
Sharma 23-3-87-0 (2nb, 3w)
Ganguly 6-1-13-0
Harbhajan 27-3-108-2
Kumble 25.3-0-106-4
Tendulkar 5-0-14-0
India 1st innings
W. Jaffer b Lee 3
R. Dravid c Hayden b Johnson 53
V.V.S. Laxman c Hussey b Hogg 109
S. Tendulkar not out 9
S. Ganguly not out 21
Extras b4, lb8, w3, nb6 21
Total 3 wkts, 62 overs 216
Fall of wkts: 1-8, 2-183, 3-185
Bowling:
Lee 15-4-34-1 (5nb)
Johnson 18-2-75-1 (1nb, 3w)
Clark 11-3-28-0
Symonds 7-1-19-0
Hogg 11-0-48-1
The 33-year-old batting craftsman from Hyderabad fully stretched Ricky Ponting's team at the SCG with classic strokeplay for his 12th hundred in his 88th Test match.
Laxman relished his return to the venerable ground, producing his trademark sumptuous drives, scoring 109 off 142 balls with 18 fours to breathe new hope into the tourists after Australia's formidable first innings total of 463.
Before Laxman's arrival shortly after lunch on the second day of the second Test, Andrew Symonds had dominated with his unconquered 162 in Australia's innings.
But the Indian right-hander joined Rahul Dravid at the crease to restore morale after the tourists' 337-run drubbing in the first Test in Melbourne.
Laxman and Dravid fell late in the day, six minutes apart. Dravid was out for a battling 53, caught at first slip by Matthew Hayden off Mitchell Johnson, and Laxman was taken by Mike Hussey off leg-spinner Brad Hogg.
At stumps on day two, India were 216 for three and trailing by 247 runs with Sachin Tendulkar on nine and Sourav Ganguly not out 21.
"Getting a hundred on this ground previously definitely gives you a boost because you've done well and it's familiar conditions. It gives you a lot of confidence," Laxman said.
"I was disappointed that we lost two quick wickets because I really wanted to be not out and carry on tomorrow.
"It's very important how we start off tomorrow morning. If they can build a big partnership we can have a big first innings total and put pressure on the Aussies.... I'm sure Sachin Tendulkar is going to get a double (century) tomorrow."
Laxman and Dravid, who have proved Australia's nemeses with two huge partnerships in the past, amassed 175 runs for the second wicket.
Australia 1st innings (376 for 7 overnight)
P. Jaques c Dhoni b Singh 0
M. Hayden c Tendulkar b Singh 13
R. Ponting lbw b Harbhajan 55
M. Hussey c Tendulkar b Singh 41
M. Clarke lbw b Harbhajan 1
A. Symonds not out 162
A. Gilchrist c Tendulkar b Singh 7
B. Hogg c Dravid b Kumble 79
B. Lee lbw b Kumble 59
M. Johnson c Ganguly b Kumble 28
S. Clark lbw b Kumble 0
Extras b2, lb9, w4, nb3 18
Total all out, 112.3 overs 463
Fall of wkts: 1-0, 2-27, 3-119, 4-119, 5-121, 6-134, 7-307, 8-421, 9-461
Bowling:
Singh 26-3-124-4 (1nb, 1w)
Sharma 23-3-87-0 (2nb, 3w)
Ganguly 6-1-13-0
Harbhajan 27-3-108-2
Kumble 25.3-0-106-4
Tendulkar 5-0-14-0
India 1st innings
W. Jaffer b Lee 3
R. Dravid c Hayden b Johnson 53
V.V.S. Laxman c Hussey b Hogg 109
S. Tendulkar not out 9
S. Ganguly not out 21
Extras b4, lb8, w3, nb6 21
Total 3 wkts, 62 overs 216
Fall of wkts: 1-8, 2-183, 3-185
Bowling:
Lee 15-4-34-1 (5nb)
Johnson 18-2-75-1 (1nb, 3w)
Clark 11-3-28-0
Symonds 7-1-19-0
Hogg 11-0-48-1
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