Second Test, 2007-08 Border-Gavaskar Trophy

The Second Test in the Indian cricket team's tour of Australia for the 2007/08 summer was a controversial Test cricket match played over five days at the Sydney Cricket Ground from January 2 to January 6 2008. Australia won the match by 122 runs with minutes to spare at the end of the fifth day.

The match attained notoriety owing to the number of umpiring mistakes made by international umpires Steve Bucknor and Mark Benson and accusations of poor sportsmanship against both teams. The match ended in a dramatic defeat of the Indian team in the final ten minutes of the (five-day) match, with some commentators suggesting that the umpiring mistakes had a major impact on the course of the match.]

Current Australian Cricketer Michael Hussey defended his team and said:

After criticism of the Australian team in multiple media continued, a shocked Ponting promised to ensure that his World champion side’s conduct is not seen to be arrogant in future matches. He also said:

Following a group discussion with coach Tim Nielsen and the rest of the team about the spirit of cricket and how to approach a game in which there is increased pressure. Ponting admitted the team needed to "tighten up how we [The Australians] play" although he also said "there were no glaring issues" that needed to be fixed up:

The Indian players released few statements about the issue. Anil Kumble wrote in his column in the Hindustan Times that Ponting was not willing to listen to his pleas that the issue should remain on the field. Kumble claimed that he knew through experience that such an allegation would have major ramifications both on and off the field. Sachin Tendulkar reportedly sent a text message to the BCCI saying "Harbhajan is innocent and I can assure you on this, but denied doing so. In this hour of crisis, the board should stand by him", but hasn't released a message to the media. Tendulkar has reportedly denied sending an SMS to Sharad Pawar. cite web|url=http://www.hindu.com/2008/01/09/stories/2008010959542100.htm|title= Tendulkar denies sending SMS to Pawar|date=2008-01-09|publisher=The Hindu] Both teams have expressed hope that this issue would not overshadow the cricket.

List of umpiring controversies

While the match was set for an intriguing contest, a number of dubious umpiring decisions were made, with the majority seeming to disadvantage the Indians.

Steve Bucknor and Mark Benson officiated as umpires.The Times, 7th January 2008, p. 56, "India feeling hard done by as Clarke turns thrilling finale Australia's way", Geoffrey Dean] A series of controversial decisions went against India and they lost the contest in circumstances which favoured a draw; Chetan Chauhan, India's team manager "said his players were "agitated and upset" by... the "incompetent umpires here"... [and hoped] that they will not officiate again in the series."

Much of the criticism attached to Bucknor; "Bucknor had one of his worst matches as an umpire and, at 61, may be nearing the end of a distinguished career. [He made] ... several errors." He has earlier also been reported by India for dubious decisions and inappropriate gestures. [cite web|url=http://content-www.cricinfo.com/indvaus/content/story/137816.html|title=Bucknor riles the Indians|work=Cricinfo|accessdate=2004-01-24]

Benson "who had a good match in Melbourne, [the previous Test] did not endear himself for rejecting what looked a plumb leg-before appeal against Mike Hussey... On 20 at the time, Hussey went on to make an unbeaten 145."

Bucknor, from Jamaica and aged 61 at the time of the Test, is the most experienced umpire in international cricket history, having stood in a record 120 Tests, and is the only umpire to have officiated in over 100 Tests. He has also stood in 167 One Day Internationals including five Cricket World Cup finals. [cite web|url=http://content-uk.cricinfo.com/ci/content/player/51237.html|title=Steve Bucknor|work=Cricinfo|accessdate=2008-01-10] Benson is from England and aged 49, is a former international and first-class player and has stood in 21 Tests and 61 ODIs. [cite web|url=http://content-uk.cricinfo.com/ci/content/player/9074.html|title=Mark Benson|work=cricinfo|accessdate=2008-01-10] Both umpires are part of the ten-member Elite Panel of ICC Umpires.

According to Cricinfo, published reports stated that as many as 8 out of 11 controversial umpiring decisions went against the Indians. [ [http://content-aus.cricinfo.com/ausvind/content/current/story/331049.html Bucknor disappointed] ] The major umpiring controversies were identified by Cricinfo, Hindustan Times and Star Cricket who were referring to live footage of the match:cite web|url=http://content-aus.cricinfo.com/ausvind/engine/current/match/291352.html?innings=1;view=commentary|title=Commentary - 2nd Test: Australia v India at Sydney|author=George Binoy and Jenny Thompson|date=2008-01-02|accessdate=2008-01-06|publisher=Cricinfo] cite web|url=http://epaper.hindustantimes.com/ArticleImage.aspx?article=07_01_2008_001_006&mode=1|date=2008-01-06|accessdate=2008-01-06|first=Kadambari|last=Murali|title=Umpires beat India, ICC bans Bhajji] cite web|url=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ti9AFeF7zlY|date=2008-01-06|accessdate=2008-01-06|title=Umpires win the match for Australia] cite web|url=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=z125uLHDlUU|date=2008-01-06|accessdate=2008-01-06|title=Umpire Goof Ups Collection]
flagicon|AUS Australian 1st Innings
*Ricky Ponting (17) given not out by Mark Benson - Ponting attempted a leg glance off his pads while facing the medium pacers of Sourav Ganguly. He edged it back to wicketkeeper Mahendra Singh Dhoni. The appeal was turned down by the umpire. Ponting went on to score 55 runs.
*Ricky Ponting (55) given out by Mark Benson - Ponting inside edged bowler Harbhajan Singh back onto his back pad. Was adjudged LBW after an Indian appeal to the umpire.
*Andrew Symonds (30) given not out by Steve Bucknor - Symonds attempted a push outside off to the bowling of Ishant Sharma, but managed to edge the ball to the wicketkeeper Dhoni. The Indian appeal for caught behind was turned down by Bucknor. Symonds went on to score 162*.cite web|url=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6sBToU9f5FQ|date=2008-01-01|accessdate=2008-01-01|title=Ind-Aus 2ndTEST Umpiring Goof-Ups - A. Symonds]
*Andrew Symonds (48) given not out by third umpire Bruce Oxenford - Symonds lifted his back foot while beaten by Anil Kumble, Dhoni appealed for a stumping which was referred to the third umpire. While analysing the video replays, Channel Nine commentators Mark Taylor, Michael Slater and Ian Healy speculated that it was out. The 3rd umpire turned down the appeal, commentators at Cricinfo saying "in by a whisker, make that half a whisker". Symonds went on to score 162*.
*Andrew Symonds (148) given not out by Steve Bucknor - Symonds attempted to slide his back-foot into the crease when beaten by Anil Kumble, Dhoni appealed for a stumping but Bucknor did not pass the request to the third umpire, adjudging Symonds not out. Cricinfo commentators said "he just appeared to have some part of his foot grounded behind the line". Symonds went on to score 162*.

flagicon|IND Indian 1st innings
*Wasim Jaffer (3) given out by Mark Benson - Jaffer bowled by a yorker from Brett Lee. Replays show that Lee's front foot was outside the crease which would make it a no ball.
*VVS Laxman (16) given not out by Mark Benson - Laxman shaped to flick a full ball from Brett Lee down the leg side, further replays indicate the ball would probably have struck middle and leg or leg stump. Laxman went on to score 109.
*Sachin Tendulkar (36) given not out by Steve Bucknor - Tendulkar was struck low on the pad in front of the stumps by the second ball of the 79th over of the Indian innings bowled by Michael Clarke. Bucknor adjudged it not out. Tendulkar went on to score 154 not out. [http://www.theaustralian.news.com.au/story/0,25197,23025954-5001505,00.html] [ [http://www.theaustralian.news.com.au/story/0,25197,23025289-5014229,00.html Sydney siege one slip from a bloodbath | The Australian ] ]
flagicon|AUS Australian 2nd Innings
*Michael Hussey (22) given not out by Mark Benson - Hussey is struck on the inside of the right pad deep in the crease off a ball that turned and kept low off the bowling of Anil Kumble. Hussey went on to score 145*.
*Michael Hussey (45) given not out by Mark Benson - Hussey turns the full face of the bat to the leg side and gets a fine touch to wicket-keeper Dhoni off the bowling of Rudra Pratap Singh. Hussey went on to score 145*. [ [http://www.news.com.au/dailytelegraph/story/0,22049,23012604-5006069,00.html Umpires cruel India again | The Daily Telegraph ] ]
*Andrew Symonds (0) given not out by Steve Bucknor - Symonds was struck on the front pad by a top-spinner from Kumble on his hat trick ball. Bucknor adjudged it not out. Kumble missed out on a hat trick. Symonds went on to score 61.

flagicon|IND Indian 2nd innings
*Rahul Dravid (38) given out by Steve Bucknor - Dravid tucked bat and glove behind his pads as he successfully padded away a delivery from Andrew Symonds. Adam Gilchrist caught the ball and appealed for caught behind and Bucknor gave it out. Replays revealed a small deflection of the pads going almost straight into Gilchrist's hands.
*Sourav Ganguly (51) given out by Mark Benson - Whilst the TV evidence was inconclusive as to the correctness of the decision, the manner in which it was delivered has generated controversy. Sourav Ganguly edged the ball to Michael Clarke at slip who was engulfed by his team-mates in celebration of an apparent catch. Umpire Benson appeared unsure as to whether it carried and instead of referring to third umpire asked captain Ricky Ponting for clarification. There was a prior agreement between the teams that the fielders would be honest about whether the catch had carried. Ponting, having already consulted Clarke about the validity of the catch, raised his finger, telling the umpire that he thought the catch was cleanly taken. He came under criticism for claiming the catch on behalf of his fielder while he was himself not sure about it. He had earlier appealed for another dubious catch off M.S. Dhonicite web|url=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BcbJOkeyKBA|date=2008-01-06|accessdate=2008-01-06|title=Ricky Ponting Thrashed by Indian Cricket Legend Gavaskar] , when TV replays suggested the ball had touched the ground while he was diving. TV replays were inconclusive for the Ganguly catch as well, in which case the batsman normally gets the benefit of the doubt.cite web|url=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-xz1T9-x6eY|date=2008-01-06|accessdate=2008-01-06|title=Sunil Gavaskar Furious Over Ganguly's Decisions] cite web|url=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=reNqR0YemZg|date=2008-01-06|accessdate=2008-01-06|title=Nonsense Umpiring Ganguly Out 2nd Test]

Racism allegations

In Australia's previous tour of India (for seven ODIs) in October 2007, Andrew Symonds, the only non-white Australian player, was subjected to monkey-chants from the Indian crowds in 5th ODI at Vadodara..

Before the start of the tour Andrew Symonds had expressed his displeasure over the celebrations in India over the Twenty20 world cup win preceding the series. The tournament was won by India after defeating Australia in the semi finals and Pakistan in the finals.

In an interview after 2nd ODI at Kochi Harbhajan Singh criticized the Australian Team as bad losers after their defeat to India in the semi-finals of the Twenty20 World Cup.

The issue became controversial and came to a climax at the Wankhede Stadium in Mumbai, where four men were arrested for taunting Symonds with monkey gestures and a large proportion of the crowd booed Symonds when he came out to bat.

Prior to this series, the two teams made a deal with the match referees to ensure good conduct. The nature of the deal has been contested by the two sides. The Australians insist that the deal stated that there would be no racism, including calling others monkeys [ [http://www.theage.com.au/articles/2008/01/11/1199988590200.html 'Bastard' not on banned words list - Cricket - Sport - theage.com.au ] ] , and Harbhajan was accused of breaking the pact by allegedly calling Symonds a monkey. The Indian officials believe that the deal was that there would be no sledging at all between the two, and Symonds broke the pact by sledging Harbhajan.cite web|url=http://www.theage.com.au/news/cricket/the-lowdown-on-the-showdown/2008/01/11/1199988590203.html|title=The lowdown on the showdown|last=Saltau|first=Chloe|date=2008-01-12|accessdate=2008-01-12|publisher=The Age Australia] According to Justice John Hansen who carried out the appeal for Harbhajan, the pact was broken by Symonds who used offensive swearing against Harbhajan at the end of the 116th over. [http://aus.cricinfo.com/db/ARCHIVE/2007-08/IND_IN_AUS/icc_commissioner_decision_30012008.pdf John Hansen's report] ]

However, during the third day of the Sydney test match the debate restarted. At the end of the 116th over of India's first innings, Harbhajan Singh was batting with Sachin Tendulkar in a vital partnership for India. Brett Lee was the bowler in that over and Harbhajan had just edged him over the slips for four. Harbhajan then tapped Lee on the backside with his bat, apparently saying "hard luck", to which Lee did not react. Symonds says he needed to stand up for his teammate so he "had a bit of a crack at Harbhajan, telling him exactly what I thought of his antics". Symonds goes on to say Harbhajan then "shot back", allegedly by calling him a monkey.cite web|url=http://content-aus.cricinfo.com/ausvind/content/story/329488.html|title=Symonds tells his side of the story|publisher=Cricinfo|author=Cricinfo staff|date=2008-01-06|accessdate=2008-01-09] He later stated that he believed that test cricket was no place to be friendly to opposition players, which is why he spoke to Harbhajan. Under questioning he admitted that he had provoked the incident and used the word "fuck" among other words against Harbhajan, who stated that he then became "very angry" because of the use of this word.

Symond's claims were not confirmed by either of two umpires (neither umpire heard the comment)cite web|url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/solpda/ukfs_sport/hi/newsid_7174000/7174122.stm?item=12032007news|title=No confirmation of Symond claims by umpires|publisher=BBC News|author=BBC staff|date=2008-01-09|accessdate=2008-01-09] .

Following the alleged exchange, commensurate with ICC protocol Ricky Ponting quickly brought the incident to the attention of Mark Benson and Steve Bucknor, who later reported Harbhajan to the match referee Mike Procter on the charge of: "Using language or gestures that offends, insults, humiliates, intimidates, threatens, disparages or vilifies another person on the basis of that person's race, religion, gender, colour, descent or national or ethnic origin." [http://www.news.com.au/dailytelegraph/story/0,22049,23008858-5001023,00.html?from=mostpop] Anil Kumble called Ponting at the end of the third day and asked Ponting to not press charges with the match referee against Harbhajan, wanting the issue not to leave the field. Kumble claimed "Having played cricket for this long, [I knew] such an allegation would definitely spiral into what it has now. I anticipated that". [cite web|url=http://content-aus.cricinfo.com/ausvind/content/current/story/330013.html|title=Ponting turned down request - Kumble|publisher=Cricinfo]

Kumble said, he asked Harbhajan why he did it and Harbhajan replied "he hadn't, Symonds did and goaded", and insisted he made no racist comment. Kumble asked Ponting whether an apology from himself for the on-field altercation, as captain of Team India, would suffice but Ponting was "not willing to listen". Kumble believed that the apology was interpreted by Ponting as an admission of guilt, although he explained to the Australian captain that no racist remarks were made.cite web|title=Ponting was 'not willing to listen|date=2008-01-11|accessdate=2008-01-11|url=http://content-aus.cricinfo.com/ausvind/content/current/story/330300.html|publisher=Cricinfo]

The Australians have had a turbulent relationship with Harbhajan. In 1998, Harbhajan taunted Ricky Ponting when he dismissed him, resulting in Ponting having an on-field argument with Singh, with both of them docked their match fees. In the historic 2000-01 tour of India, Harbhajan became the first Indian bowler to achieve a hat trick and took two ten-wicket hauls against the Australians. In this particular tour, Harbhajan had claimed that he had the measure of captain Ricky Ponting, pointing to the fact that he has dismissed him six times in the last seven matches.cite web|url=http://www.news.com.au/heraldsun/story/0,21985,22996291-2882,00.html|title=Harbhajan has my number: Ponting|last=Pierik|first=Jon|publisher=Herald Sun|date=2008-01-02|accessdate=2001-01-09]

The hearing for the incident was initially scheduled to be at the end of the fourth day's play, but was postponed till after the match for fear that it would aggravate or distract the players.cite web|title=Harbhajan hearing postponed|url=http://content-aus.cricinfo.com/ci/content/story/329129.html|author=Cricinfo staff|date=2008-01-05|accessdate=2008-01-09|publisher=Cricinfo] Mike Procter, who would be hearing the case, indicated that the umpires had not heard anything in relation to the allegations. On the evening after the end of day five, Procter, after listening to the testimony of Matthew Hayden, Andrew Symonds, Ricky Ponting and Adam Gilchrist as well as that of Indians Sachin Tendulkar and Harbhajan Singh, declared that Harbhajan would be banned for three test matches. Included in his final report were the words that "I believe one group is telling the truth", implying that Tendulkar and Harbhajan were lying in their testimonies.cite web|url=http://content-aus.cricinfo.com/ausvind/content/current/story/329742.html|title=Indians unhappy with Procter|last=Vaidyanathan|first=Siddhartha|publisher=Cricinfo|date=2008-01-08|accessdate|2008-01-09]

Australian spinner Brad Hogg has been charged under the ICC Code of Conduct with calling Indian captain Anil Kumble and vice-captain Mahendra Singh Dhoni "bastards", a highly offensive term in India. [ [http://www.smh.com.au/news/cricket/hogg-twist-to-abuse-hearing/2008/01/07/1199554494023.html Hogg twist to abuse hearing] ] Hogg claims that he did not mean to insult the Indians with the term. The term "bastard" in India is taken literally, meaning someone born before matrimony who often becomes an outcaste and is frowned upon in conservative parts of society. The charge was later withdrawn by the Indian cricket team.

The racism allegation caused considerably backlash from within India. Many in India, including BCCI chairman Sharad Pawar have equated it to an attack on the country's people itself. Pawar told Cricinfo "allegations of racism against a member of our cricket team is not acceptable...We fight against racism. Our country supported anti-racism movements in South Africa." [ [http://content-aus.cricinfo.com/ausvind/content/current/story/330296.html Pawar given power over tour future] ] Kumble also considered the allegation one that should not have been made so lightly as the team are meant to be ambassadors for the country and an allegation of racism becomes an issue of honour.

On 2008-01-29, after the appeal hearing at Adelaide by ICC appeals commissioner John Hansen, the racism charge on Harbhajan Singh was not proved and therefore cleared and three Test ban imposed on him by match referee Mike Procter was lifted. However, lesser charge (Level 2.8 offense) of using abusive language was applied and Harbhajan was fined 50% of his match fee. cite press release | title=Harbhajan Singh cleared of racism charges |publisher=ICC |date=2008-01-29 |url=http://content-usa.cricinfo.com/ausvind/content/current/story/333986.html |accessdate=2008-01-29 ]

Lack of sufficient evidence, a more rigorous judicial process and inability to pacify both the sides on the part of the ICC resulted in Harbhajan Singh being fined 50% of his match fee, it emerged after Justice John Hansen read out the reasons for his verdict a day after the hearing in Adelaide. cite press release | title=Insufficient evidence against Harbhajan - Hansen |publisher=ICC |date=2008-01-30 |url=http://content-usa.cricinfo.com/ausvind/content/story/334196.html |accessdate=2008-01-30 ] He was particularly perturbed by the fact the alleged racial abuse stemmed from Symonds reacting angrily to Harbhajan patting fast bowler Brett Lee on the backside in recognition of a good delivery. cite news |url=http://www.foxsports.com.au/story/0,8659,23132961-23212,00.html |title=ICC stuff-up cleared Harbhajan |date=2008-01-30|publisher=Fox Sports] Andrew Symonds' inability to conclusively say whether Harbhajan Singh had used the word monkey or a Hindi abuse, and his admission that the language did not fall under the requirements of a level 3.3 offence played a crucial part. Symonds couldn't recall if he had heard Harbhajan use a term in his native tongue "teri maa ki" which appears to be pronounced with an "n" and accepted that it was a possibility. cite news |url=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=StDZ-xIXNKg |title=Afridi vs Gautam Gambhir |date=2007-11-13|publisher=YouTube|accessdate=2008-01-30]

Michael Clarke's account was critical, considering that it did not coincide favourably with the rest.

Andrew Symonds also didn't find favour with the judge with his explanation for abusing Harbhajan after he had patted Brett Lee on the back side. Symonds said he had objected because "a Test match is no place to be friendly with an opposition player" but Hansen dismissed that explanation.

Hansen was favourable on the conduct and testimony of Sachin Tendulkar, who Mike Procter had implied was lying and could not have been within earshot of the altercation. According to Hansen, video replays from various camera angles showed that Tendulkar was the closest player to the conversation and was likely to have heard it. Tendulkar admitted words were spoken in both English and Hindi. Hansen also rejected the suggestion that the Board of Control for Cricket in India and Cricket Australia reached an agreement which he simply sealed with his ruling.

He was also critical of all parties involved in the confrontation in Sydney, saying "their actions do not reflect well on them or the game".

International reaction

Former Pakistani fast bowler Wasim Akram lashed out against the "hypocritical" Australians for reporting Harbhajan, despite being known for their sledgingcite web|url=http://www.theage.com.au/news/cricket/australians-cry-babies-says-akram/2008/01/07/1199554570966.html|first=Chloe|last=Saltau|title=Australians cry babies, says Akram|date=2008-01-08|accessdate=2008-01-08|publisher=The Age, Australia] and despite a rumoured pre-series agreement not to refer to Symonds, Australia's only dark skinned player, using the word "monkey" as Indian cricket fans had done in their recent home series. [cite news |url=http://www.theage.com.au/text/articles/2008/01/05/1198950130931.html |title=Harbhajan has form, say hosts |publisher=The Age |first=Alex |last=Brown |coauthors=Chloe Saltau |date=2008-01-06 ] Akram further attacked them by calling them the "worst sledgers" in the world and labeling them as "cry babies":

Indian officials further went on to claim that because "monkey" was not a derogatory word in India it was acceptable.cite news |url=http://www.smh.com.au/articles/2008/01/05/1198950132278.html |title=Our man seriously provoked: Indians |first=Chloe |last=Saltau |publisher=The Sydney Morning Herald |date=2008-01-06 ] India lodged a counter claim against Brad Hogg for use of the word "bastard" against two of their players before later withdrawing the charge.

Rashid Latif, a former Pakistani cricketer who was accused of being a racist to Adam Gilchrist during the 2003 Cricket World Cup, also defended Harbhajan, saying that Singh had temper problems but was otherwise a good person:

John Morrison, former New Zealand spin-bowler accused Australians of "running off to the teacher", while his fellow team-mate Dipak Patel said that he had been called "a lot worse than a monkey".cite web|url=http://www.stuff.co.nz/4349149a1823.html|work=stuff.co.nz|title=Racial taunts in the name of sport never on|author=Tony Smith|date=2008-01-09|accessdate=2008-01-09]

Harsha Bhogle, an Indian commentator of the channel Star Cricket said during the commentary when the game ended:

During the Clarke's claimed catch and when Ponting held up his finger, Sunil Gavaskar said:

Christopher Martin-Jenkins, chief cricket correspondent for The Times in the United Kingdom defended the "righteous indignation of India's players" and suggested that the BCCI's adamance to give the issue the necessary publicity has been better for the game. Martin-Jenkins also described Australia as the "nonpareils of world sledging" and expressed the view that Michael Clarke would not be as good a future captain as Mike Hussey based on Clarke's decision to stand his ground after being caught at first slip.cite web|last=Martin-Jenkins|first=Christopher|title=India's sense of injustice wounded by heightened national pride|url=http://www.timesonline.co.uk/tol/sport/cricket/article3149363.ece|date=2008-01-08|accessdate=2008-01-10]

Former player and match referee Clive Lloyd commenting on Steve Bucknor not umpiring in the next test match in a BBC Radio 5 Live interview said:

Former England cricketer and current Channel Nine commentator Tony Greig, whose comments on air were criticised by Ricky Ponting stood by his observations saying:Going on to comment on other issues of the game including umpiring and not walking on getting a nick he said:

English journalist Simon Barnes writing for "The Australian" believed it was too late to draw a racism line in the sand. Barnes alleged that sledging is as much part of cricket as kicking in the shins is as part of rugby.cite web|url=http://www.theaustralian.news.com.au/story/0,25197,23025204-16957,00.html|title=Too late to draw a racism line in the sand|last=Barnes|first=Simon|publisher="The Australian"|date=2008-01-09|accessdate=2008-01-10] According to Barnes "Australia has long promoted mental disintegration; as a result, we are facing the disintegration of the game of cricket.".

Oliver Brett for BBC Sport was also sympathetic towards the Indians.cite web|publisher=BBC|date=2008-01-08|accessdate=2008-01-14|url=http://www.bbc.co.uk/dna/606/A30769914|title=India friendless in Australia|last=Brett|first=Oliver] Brett claimed that Ponting's word shouldn't have been taken for fact by Mike Procter as Ponting had claimed a catch that was "obviously grassed" and had raised his finger to Mark Benson to indicate certainty that a dubious catch had been taken.

Reaction in Australia

Cricket Australia chief executive James Sutherland was approving of the player's behaviour, claiming that there had been a "marked improvement" in their on-field attitude and behaviour in recent years. The Australian Cricketers Association chief Paul Marsh believed the issues to be an instance of "tall poppy syndrome", claiming that the only reason Australia was being targeted by the media and opposition teams was that they had been dominating world cricket for too long. Later, in a Sydney Morning Herald article, Marsh points out that Australia, along with Ireland were two of the four nominees to the ICC Spirit of Cricket awards which occurred only a few months before in September 2007. Marsh also pointed out that the Hogg incident was the first ICC Code of Conduct violation by the Australian team in 13 months. [ [http://www.smh.com.au/articles/2008/01/10/1199554831780.html?page=fullpage#contentSwap1 A team second to none, on and off the field - Cricket - Sport - smh.com.au ] ]

Steve Waugh writing for The Daily Telegraph in his article titled "Epic encounter's sour aftertaste" said:

The English Australian journalist and former captain of Somerset County Cricket Club, Peter Roebuck, a columnist in the Sydney Morning Herald, branded Ponting as "arrogant" and insisted that be stripped of the captaincy. [http://www.smh.com.au/news/cricket/arrogant-ponting-must-be-fired/2008/01/07/1199554571883.html Peter Roebuck in Sydney Morning Herald ] ]

quote|"If Cricket Australia cares a fig for the tattered reputation of our national team in our national sport, it will not for a moment longer tolerate the sort of arrogant and abrasive conduct seen from the captain and his senior players," said Roebuck.

"Australia itself has been embarrassed. The notion that Ponting can hereafter take the Australian team to India is preposterous.

"He has shown not the slightest interest in the well-being of the game, not the slightest sign of diplomatic skills, not a single mark of respect for his accomplished and widely admired opponents."

There is support for Ponting among some quarters of the media with The Australian's Malcolm Conn suggesting that he is being unfairly targeted.Fact|date=February 2008Former player Geoff Lawson was scathing in his description of the team. Speaking to the Herald Sun, he said:

Sport Australia Hall of Fame members John Bertrand, Herb Elliott and Robert de Castella accused the Australian cricket team of turning sport into war and thereby damaging international relations. John Bertrand, the Hall of Fame chairman, went on to say that:

Kevin Bartlett, former AFL player, accused the Australian cricket team of bad sportsmanship towards its opponents by saying that:

Glenn McGrath who is a recently retired Australian cricketer commented upon the decision to stand down Steve Bucknor for next test by saying:

The Opposition leader in Australia Brendan Nelson defended Ricky Ponting and said:

Neil Harvey, member of Don Bradman's "Invincibles" as well as the Australian Cricket Board Team of the Century and Australian Cricket Hall of Fame inductee, blamed Ponting for the mess by saying that:

Jeff Thomson ("Thommo"), the former Australian fast bowler, harshly criticised the Australians by saying that:

On the 10th of January, following repetitive criticism of the Australian team, "The Australian" newspaper posted on their websites a video of the , in which Harbhajan Singh stands his ground after being clean bowled by Kevin Pietersen, having an exchange with the bowler including swearing to him, before leaving. On the same day, Channel Nine posted videos of the Harbhajan incident as well as an instance in which Mahendra Singh Dhoni dived to his right and claimed a catch which had bounced at the base of his glove. Channel Nine claimed there was "hypocrisy afoot" under a headline of "Holier-than-thou Indians are sinners too". In the same article it posted a 1981 video of Sunil Gavaskar in a bid to backup its argument.cite web|url=http://wwos.ninemsn.com.au/article.aspx?id=344170|title=Holier than thou Indians are sinners too|date=2008-01-10|accessdate=2008-01-10|publisher=NineMSN]

Public polling

60% of respondents to a poll on the Sydney Morning Herald's website agreed with Roebuck's call for Ponting to stand down, however a poll on the Wide World of Sports website revealed 41,000 of the 50,000 people taking the poll did not want Ponting removed. [ [http://wwos.ninemsn.com.au/article.aspx?id=343055&rss=yes Ponting still the man to lead: readers ] ]

The Sydney Daily Telegraph also published a poll that revealed 83% of those who voted thought Ponting was not a good ambassador for the game.

Disputed catch by Ricky Ponting

Opinion columnists such as Mohan Krishnamoorthy called for a ban on Ricky Pontingcite web|url=http://www.abc.net.au/news/stories/2008/01/08/2134267.htm|date=2008-01-08|title=Integrity the loser in ugly deadlock|publisher=ABC News] cite web|url=http://www.rediff.com/cricket/2008/jan/07prem.htm|date=2008-01-07|title=Why Ponting should be banned|publisher=Rediff] cite web|url=http://cricket.indiatimes.com/Former_India_stars_slam_Aussie_media/articleshow/2696599.cms|date=2008-01-13|title=Former India stars slam lopsided Australian media claim|publisher=TimesOfIndia] for appealing for what Sunil Gavaskar claimed was a grassed catch off MS Dhoni and declaring another inconclusively bumped/grassed catch by Michael Clarke off Sourav Ganguly. However it should be noted Ponting had already stated he was uncertain about another catch in the innings, thus allowing the Indian batsman to remain at the crease without.

In September 2003, match referee Mike Procter had given a 5 ODI ban to Pakistan captain Rashid Latif for knowingly claiming a dropped catch off Alok Kapali in Pakistan and Bangladesh series in 2003.cite news |url=http://content-usa.cricinfo.com/pakistan/content/story/133468.html |title=Latif banned for five matches over disputed catch |publisher=Cricinfo|date=2003-09-07 ]

Action by officials

Racism allegations

On 7 January, 2008, the Indian team announced that they were discontinuing the tour pending the outcome of the appeal against Harbhajan's three match ban.Cite web
url = http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport2/hi/cricket/7174122.stm
title = Tour at risk after Harbhajan ban
publisher = BBC Sport
date = 7 January, 2008
accessdate = 2008-01-08] Rather than travelling on to Canberra, after spending several hours waiting on their tour bus, the Indian team disembarked and remained in Sydney. [Cite web
url = http://www.timesonline.co.uk/tol/sport/columnists/kevin_eason/article3149219.ece
title = The Insider - January 8
publisher = The Times
author = Kevin Eason
accessate = 2008-01-08
date = 8 January, 2008] The Board of Control for Cricket in India issued a statement in which they "...decided to challenge the unfair decision to suspend Harbhajan Singh...", stating that the ban was "...patently unfair...". [Cite web
url = http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport2/hi/cricket/other_international/india/7174821.stm
title = India cricket board statement
publisher = BBC Sport
date = 7 January, 2008
accessdate = 2008-01-08]

Former Australian captain, Steve Waugh commented that the affair "now has the potential to affect relations between the countries".Cite web
url = http://www.timesonline.co.uk/tol/sport/cricket/article3149155.ece
title = Australia finds little in which to glory
accessdate = 2008-01-08
date = 8 January, 2008
publisher = The Times
author = Dileep Premachandran]

ICC chief executive Malcolm Speed announced that "a commissioner will be appointed by Wednesday to hear the appeal, which could take place before the third Test starts in Perth on 16 January."Cite web
url = http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/cricket/7174992.stm
title = Row umpire dropped for third Test
publisher = BBC Sport
accessdate = 2008-01-08
date = 8 January, 2008]

The ICC also announced that chief referee Ranjan Madugalle has been appointed to act as a mediator in the row between Australia captain Ricky Ponting and India skipper Anil Kumble.

The BCCI originally outlined that the appeal for Harbhajan Singh must be carried out before the team left Sydney, thus essentially suspending India's tour of Australia. In the aftermath of Harbhajan's controversial banning, batsman Sachin Tendulkar, who was the only Indian to have actually heard the altercation on the field, sent an SMS to Sharad Pawar, the chief of the BCCI and also an Indian cabinet minister. The wording of the message was "Harbhajan is innocent and I can assure you on this. In this hour of crisis, the board should stand by him. I suggest we should play in Perth only if the ban is lifted". cite web|url=http://wwos.ninemsn.com.au/article.aspx?id=343200|title=Tendulkar SMS 'sparked tour suspension'|date=2008-01-08|accessdate=2008-01-08|publisher=Nine's Wide World of Sport] Tendulkar has reportedly denied sending an SMS to Sharad Pawar. However, due to a concession from the ICC, an appeal hearing was called for at a yet to be decided date which effectively allows Harbhajan to play in matches again until the appeal. The ICC also confirmed the New Zealand High Court judge John Hansen's appointment to oversee the appealcite web|url=http://in.reuters.com/article/topNews/idINIndia-31312020080109|title=ICC appoints Hansen to hear Harbhajan appeal | Top News | Reuters|publisher=in.reuters.com|accessdate=2008-01-09|last= Reuters] .The BCCI also clarified that the word "monkey" was not considered offensive in India.

On 11 January, the BCCI president Sharad Pawar, clarified that the tour would not be canceled even if Harbhajan's appeal did not go favourably.cite web|url=http://content-aus.cricinfo.com/ausvind/content/current/story/330433.html|title=No question of a pullout - Pawar|date=2008-01-12|accessdate=2008-01-12|publisher=Cricinfo] However, on 14 January, the ICC chief executive Malcolm Speed announced that, the appeal would be heard on 29th and 30th of January, after the fourth Test in Adelaide. He was quoted as saying that:

quote|We would have preferred the appeal to be held earlier but it was not possible. Both CA and the BCCI have requested the hearing to be held after the Test series for logistical reasons and, following due consideration, Justice Hansen agreed.The reality is that it is likely to go into a second day as lawyers will be involved, so we needed to have two clear days to assign to it. With just three full days between the third and fourth Tests, we were conscious of the teams' travel arrangements and preparations for the match.cite web|url=http://content-usa.cricinfo.com/ausvind/content/story/330999.html|title= Harbhajan appeal to be held after Tests|date=2008-01-14|publisher=Cricinfo]

The chairman of the ICC's cricket committee, Sunil Gavaskar has strongly condemned the match referee Mike Procter, accusing him of blatant racism for "taking the 'white man's' word against that of the 'brown man'" in handling the racism allegations and imposing the ban of three Tests on Harbhajan Singh. Gavaskar was also skeptical regarding the motivation of Australian team in reporting Harbhajan Singh, because he has dismissed Australian captain Ricky Ponting in three times in the current series. In his newspaper column to "Hindustan Times", Gavaskar has written:

quote|Millions of Indians want to know if it was a 'white man' taking the 'white man's' word against that of the 'brown man'. Quite simply if there was no audio evidence nor did the officials hear anything then the charge did not stand. This is what has incensed the millions of Indians who are flabbergasted that the word of one of the greatest players in the history of the game, Sachin Tendulkar, was not accepted. In effect, Tendulkar has been branded a liar by the match referee.The off spinner has denied having used the word which has caused offence and in the absence of any audio recording and most crucially with both umpires not having heard it, the charge should have been dropped straight away for lack of corroborating evidence. He wrote, "By accepting the word of the Australian players and not the Indian players, the match referee has exposed himself to the charge of taking a decision based not on facts, but on emotion." [cite web|url=http://www.smh.com.au/news/cricket/sunny-slams-ref-aussie-motives/2008/01/14/1200159286472.html|title= Sunny slams ref, Aussie motives|date=2008-01-14|publisher=Sydney Morning Herald]

Change in umpire

The BCCI called on Steve Bucknor to be stopped from officiating at the third test in Perth, although they previously agreed not to interfere with the choice of umpire for any of the matches during the series.cite web|url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport2/hi/cricket/7174122.stm|title=Tour at risk after Harbhajan ban|date=2008-01-07|accessdate=2008-01-08|publisher=British Broadcasting Corporation] On 8 January the ICC confirmed Bucknor would be dropped and replaced by New Zealand umpire Billy Bowden,cite news|url=http://www.abc.net.au/news/stories/2008/01/08/2134298.htm|title=Bucknor dropped for third Test|work=abc.net.au|date=8 January 2008|accessdate=2008-01-08] [Cite web
url = http://content-www.cricinfo.com/ci/content/story/329743.html
title = Bucknor removed from Perth Test
publisher = Cricinfo
date = 8 January, 2008
accessdate = 2008-01-08
author = Brydon Coverdale] despite previously stating there were no plans to stand him down. [Cite web
url = http://www.stuff.co.nz/stuff/4347552a10133.html
title = ICC has no plans to stand down Bucknor
accessdate = 2008-01-08
date = 8 January, 2008
publisher = stuff.co.nz]

Allegation of offensive language

The BCCI lodged a complaint against Australian spin bowler Brad Hogg for allegedly addressing MS Dhoni and Anil Kumble using the word "bastard" on the field. The charges against Hogg fall under section 3.3 of the ICC Code of Conduct, the same section under which Harbhajan was accused. The hearing for Hogg's case was to be held separately from Harbhajan's case by ICC Match Referee Mike Procter and the preliminary date was set for January 14. [cite web |url=http://content-usa.cricinfo.com/ausvind/content/current/story/329815.html |title=Hogg charged for making 'offensive remark' |publisher=Cricinfo |date=2008-01-08] [cite news |url=http://www.smh.com.au/articles/2008/01/07/1199554494023.html |title=Hogg twist to abuse hearing |publisher=The Sydney Morning Herald |date=2008-01-07 |first=Alex |last=Brown |coauthors=Chloe Saltau ] [cite web |url=http://www.dailypioneer.com/indexn12.asp?main_variable=SPORTS&file_name=sprt3%2Etxt&counter_
|title=Hogg charged with offence|publisher=www.dailypioneer.com|accessdate=2008-01-09|last= PTI] The charges were dropped after the two captains met for peace talks along with Ranjan Madugalle. [cite web |url=http://content-usa.cricinfo.com/ausvind/content/current/story/330850.html|title=India withdraw charge against Hogg|publisher=Cricinfo|accessdate=2008-01-14]

portsmanship

ICC chief Malcolm Speed has asked Cricket Australia to talk to Ponting and other players. Speed was quoted as saying that:

Aftermath

The issue was a highly volatile subject in media in both Australia and India. After the meeting of the team captains prior to the third test the teams appeared to be in better spirits, although some media outlets suggested the Australians had been trying to alter the way they play the game to fit in with the vague definition of the 'spirit of the game'. India won the next test match in Perth by a fair margin and drew the fourth match in Adelaide, giving Australia a 2-1 victory in the series. In the context of the series result the Sydney test ended up being pivotal.

Notes

External links

* [http://icc-cricket.yahoo.com/media-release/2008/january/media-release20080104-4.html Harbhajan Singh charged with offence under ICC's Code of Conduct] , ICC Media Release, Friday, January 04, 2008 9:15:31 PM
* [http://icc-cricket.yahoo.com/media-release/2008/january/media-release20080107-7.html Harbhajan Singh found guilty of offence under ICC's Code of Conduct] , ICC Media Release, Monday, January 07, 2008 10:11:50AM
* [http://icc-cricket.yahoo.com/media-release/2008/january/media-release20080112-17.html Brad Hogg charged with offense under ICC's Code of Conduct] , "Date set for Brad Hogg's Code of Conduct hearing", ICC Media Release, Saturday, January 12, 2008 6:12:57 PM
* [http://icc-cricket.yahoo.com/media-release/2008/january/media-release20080129-55.html ICC statement following the conclusion of Harbhajan Singh's independent appeal hearing] , ICC Media Release, Tuesday, January 29, 2008 03:07:50 PM
* [http://aus.cricinfo.com/db/ARCHIVE/2007-08/IND_IN_AUS/icc_commissioner_decision_30012008.pdf Full text of the judgement by Justice John Hansen ]