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Dubai: Indian spinner Harbhajan Singh has been cleared to resume playing until his appeal against a three-match ban is heard, the International Cricket Council (ICC) said on Tuesday.
West Indian umpire Steve Bucknor has also been dropped for next week's third test between Australia and India, the ICC announced in Melbourne.
Harbhajan was suspended for three matches on Sunday after being found guilty of racially abusing Australia's Andrew Symonds during last week's second test in Sydney.
The spinner has denied abusing Symonds.
Meanwhile, ICC chief executive Malcolm Speed said that New Zealand umpire Billy Bowden would stand in Bucknor's place following widespread criticism of his performance in last week's second test at Sydney.
Following the developments, it is understood that India will continue the tour. An official intimation from BCCI is awaited.
Should India have threatened to go home? Was the ICC right to overturn the ban? Is money having an influence on this tour? Have Australia behaved badly in this series and if so should Ponting resign? Is standing Steve Bucknor down the right decision?
Your comments
As an Indian, I don't deny the fact that Australia is an extremely talented and professional team. But I was severely hurt to see a lot of decisions going against us in the Sydney Test. Now I feel that finally some descisions have been taken in favour of us. Steve Bucknor was creating havoc to the Indian team. It seems like he has some personal enemity with India. So it is right that he was dropped out. I dont suggest that Ricky Ponting should resign because he is one of the finest captains. But he should take the necessary actions to put a control over his team so they behave better.
Vipin
Dubai,UAE
Posted: January 08, 2008, 17:16
India did not actually threaten to go home; The ICC did not overthrow the ban- it is merely suspended till the appeals hearing; of course money involved is huge and lots of interests will be affected; Australia always behaved arrogantly, but this time were dishonest as well and yes, Ponting should resign; Any professional who makes mistakes must step down - this applies to Doctors, Pilots, Engineers and Govt Ministers, so why not Umpires in international events?
Gopinath
Dammam,KSA
Posted: January 08, 2008, 16:53
I don't think India had threatened anybody in this case, as they have taken a silent stand of withdrawing from the tour, which they have the right to do so. And Its not that just because of one decision Bucknor is dropped, it was for his continuous mistakes. Its not for the betterment of Indian Team but for the betterment of the game of cricket.
Ananth
Abu Dhabi,UAE
Posted: January 08, 2008, 16:30
Indian Team deserve better respect by Ponting and his team. I have witnessed bad treatment of the visiting teams by way of severe sledging / bad language and gestures. As Mr Bogle has suggested this should be the end to the verbal cricket.
Arasakumar
Melbourne,Australia
Posted: January 08, 2008, 16:11
Well, It is obvious the amount of money involved in this series is huge and icc cannot afford to keep BCCI unhappy as they and everybody knows that India is the biggest source of sponsorship for the ICC and if they pull their hand ICC would find themselves in big problem, As far as Australians are concerned they are champs no doubt about it and India felt the pressure otherwise a part time bowler like Clark would have not been the hero by taking three wickets in 1 over. I hope to see India doing well in rest of the series.
Sheraz
Dubai,UAE
Posted: January 08, 2008, 16:01
Australia's secret behind its championship attitude was well understood by now, Sledging should be completely banned in the cricket game neither Australia nor rest of world should encourage sledging in the pitch.
Shailesh
Abu Dhabi,UAE
Posted: January 08, 2008, 15:42
Congratulations to the Australians for maintaining a record! Record of what? Record at what cost? Record maintained in which manner? Yes, it was indeed a shameful day for cricket. In childhood I used to hear that Australians play as a 13 member team, have an 8 ball over and have their own boundaries. Ricky Ponting and his pals have worked very hard both on and off the field to convince the world that the statement remains a solid fact. It is indeed surprising to hear many Australians utter that they play the game real hard. Today, they have shown their mettle by being the team with the softest character. In my opinion, not only should the Indians discontinue this one sided tour, but all cricketing countries should get together in boycotting this 'World Champions' team. Only then will some sanity prevail and we shall have the gentleman's game back to the crease.
Steve Bucknor, who has enjoyed such a commendable reputation virtually put his career at stake with all his one sided 'errors' of judgement.
Name supplied
Abu Dhabi,UAE
Posted: January 08, 2008, 15:17
This is nature of Indian cricket to blame someone else for their poor performance. What Kumble did to Yousif during Pakistan Trip was okay for Indian players, fans, and media. The Indian Umpires were famous on the field and Indian Team had advantage to play with 13. Now they are crying when it happen to them. There is no place for racism in cricket. IF Harbhajan is guilty, he should be banned for 30 games.
SM
Al Ain,UAE
Posted: January 08, 2008, 14:46
Ricky Ponting has no credibility to retain his captaincy. He does not understand the meaning of the word integrity or perhaps he has another meaning which is not clear to all others.
Premarajan
Dubai,UAE
Posted: January 08, 2008, 14:24
The ICC has not overturned the ban but has postponed the hearing appeal against the ban and has cleared Bhajji to play as a temporary solution so that India does not pull out of the tour. There is no money involved and evn if thatt's the case India has the finance and muscle power to do so. Ponting resigning is not realistic. But he should attend classes on conducting himself better on the field and educate himself on good manners and respect for opposition. As far as Bucknor is concerned it's time he understood that his best days are behind him and should step down immediately.
Sunil
Dubai,UAE
Posted: January 08, 2008, 14:12
Steve should step down and Ponting should apologise to all cricket fans.
Suhail
Dubai,UAE
Posted: January 08, 2008, 13:46
Yes indeed money has tremendous influence on cricket these days. 70% of all ICC revenue comes from one cricketing country - India. TV rights, match fees, crowds etc etc. Who dare challenge India in this arena. "Remove Steve Bucknor", says India. Right or wrong. "Yes sir, we will do that in the interest of cricket, nay in the interest of saving our revenues." The non-black cricketing countries have for so long bullied others; and now it is India which is turning the tables. Well done India. Keep it up.
Muhsin
Sydney,Australia
Posted: January 08, 2008, 13:10
It is good to know the outcome of this so painful situation of Team India. I would rather like to let others know that none of the boards should feel that BCCI is such a big organisation and the most richest comparatively which had an impact on the decision. It was a genuine and clear stand and other boards if put in such a situation should also react following what PCB and BCCI have done.
Mubashir
Abu Dhabi,UAE
Posted: January 08, 2008, 12:53
It is the victory of truth. Australian cricketers should learn to respect the game and take it in the right spirit. Becuase just being called world champions doesnt mean they are. They will get what they sow.
Rahil
Dubai,UAE
Posted: January 08, 2008, 12:49
Do not dish it out if you can not take it. Cancel tour, teach Australian Cricketers a lesson that it takes two to play a game. Isolate Australia Cricketers from world till they play a fair game.
Govind
Manchester,UK
Posted: January 08, 2008, 12:43
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