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Dubai: India will resume its cricket tour of Australia despite racism and umpiring rows, senior officials said on Tuesday night, but hinted the team could abandon it if an appeal against Harbhajan Singh's ban fails.
The tourists called a halt after the spinner was suspended for three games for allegedly racially abusing Andrew Symonds - the only non-white player in the Australian team - during the second Test in Sydney.
Malcolm Speed, International Cricket Council Chief Executive, said Harbhajan might be eligible to play the next Test in Perth, as the appeal process might not be resolved quickly.
Earlier yesterday, the ICC replaced umpire Steve Bucknor - who came under fire for a series of controversial decisions in Sydney as India lost by 122 runs to go 2-0 down in the series - with Billy Bowden for the Perth Test.
Meanwhile, the fallout of the tempestuous Test continued with the news that Australia spinner Brad Hogg has also been charged with making an abusive remark to India captain Anil Kumble and vice-captain Mahendra Singh Dhoni.
The Indian cricket board's decision to go ahead with the tour came as Speed announced plans to fly in chief referee Ranjan Madugalle to ease seething tensions between India and Australia.
The ICC, in an effort to resolve the row between Australia and India, has decided to fly their chief referee Ranjan Madugalle to Australia to act as a mediator between captains Anil Kumble and Ricky Ponting. "What this does is give us an opportunity to move on ... Over the last week we've seen the best and the worst of our game," Speed admitted.
He, however, clarified that Bucknor was not replaced due to any representations made by any team or individuals, and the decision was made in the best interests of the game.
Your comments
Steve Bucknor is one of the most respectable umpires -- calm and focused. Umpires are human beings too. The ICC should be able to back its statements with evidence and it should not buckle under pressure. The incident reminds me of the Darrell Hair controversy. Cricket should be above all countries and players.
From Zeeshan
Dubai
UAE
Posted: January 09, 2008, 14:42
I think the Indian team should not blame umpires for its bad performance; instead the players should improve their game.
From Faisal
Dubai
UAE
Posted: January 09, 2008, 14:25
Umpires are human beings and can make mistakes. Steve has done a wonderful job for more than 15 years and should retire on a good note.
From Sriram
Dubai
UAE
Posted: January 09, 2008, 14:20
Steve Bucknor is a "dignified slave". He should be banned for life from umpiring. Ricky Ponting is one of the worst captains Australia has ever produced. He, too, should be banned for life from playing cricket.
Badarudeen
Kerala,India
Posted: January 09, 2008, 11:55
There can be mistakes but repeated mistakes can't be allowed. I am grateful to the BCCI for being supportive. The ICC chief took a good decision and I thank him wholeheartedly.
Shridhar
Bangalore,India
Posted: January 09, 2008, 11:12
Bucknor has been the No.1 umpire for the past 15 years. Everybody makes mistakes; even Australian umpires make mistakes. They way ICC and India has treated Bucknor is bad. What if the decisions had gone in India's favour?
Farooq
Dubai,UAE
Posted: January 09, 2008, 10:13
Ageing is one of the major factors behind wrong decisions. Falling eyesight, diabetes and hypertension can all lead to such errors. The umpires should undergo fitness tests at least twice a day.
Tharian
Abu Dhabi,UAE
Posted: January 09, 2008, 10:09
Dropping Steve Bucknor is a good decision by the ICC. Bucknor, after umpiring more than 100 matches, must have developed hearing and eyesight deficiencies. I blame the ICC for keeping such umpires.
Alfred
Dubai,UAE
Posted: January 09, 2008, 08:54
It's time for retirement. Great move.
Mun
Dubai,UAE
Posted: January 09, 2008, 07:10
It's high time that ageing umpires, such as Steve Bucknor, should retire. Umpires should also go through medical and psychological tests. Maybe, their wrong decisions are not intentional rather a result of high pressure on the field. Confident body language of the appealing side and aggressive appealing can also lead to wrong decisions.
Sujish
Dubai,UAE
Posted: January 09, 2008, 03:57
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