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Harbhajan banned over Symonds abuse
Indian off spinner Harbhajan Singh has been banned for three Tests after the International Cricket Council ruled that he racially abused Australia's Andrew Symonds during the just-finished Test at the Sydney Cricket Ground.
The Australians complained that Harbhajan called Symonds a "monkey" during day three of the second Test.
Match referee Mike Procter says he is satisfied that Harbhajan used the word and that he intended to offend Symonds on the basis of his race.
Harbhajan denied the charge and India says it will appeal against the decision.
India lost the match in dramatic circumstances yesterday evening, with Australia taking three wickets in the final 10 minutes to secure a 122-run win.
At his post-match press conference last night India captain Anil Kumble launched an astonishing attack on Australia's cricketers, accusing them of breaching the spirit of the game.
Asked by Indian journalists about Australia's tactics, Kumble echoed something similar to the immortal line used by the Australian captain Bill Woodfull during the 1932-33 Bodyline series against England.
"Only one team was playing with the spirit of the game," Kumble said.
But Australia captain Ricky Ponting has defended his team's actions, rejecting Kumble's suggestion that they claimed questionable catches.
"Anil and I before the series started got together and we actually said that that was the way we'd be playing the series," he said.
"If there was a contentious catch, unless the fielder was 100 per cent sure that he caught it, that the captains would let the umpire know either way."
abcsport.com
India skipper accuses Aussies of bad sportsmanship
India captain Anil Kumble launched an astonishing attack on Australia's cricketers after his team were beaten in the second Test at the SCG on Sunday, accusing them of breaching the spirit of the game.
Kumble was unable to contain his fury after his team were beaten by 122 runs in a thrilling and controversial end to one of the most absorbing matches ever seen at the SCG.
Asked by Indian journalists about Australia's tactics, Kumble echoed something similar to the immortal line used by the Australian captain Bill Woodfull during the 1932-33 Bodyline series against England.
"Only one team was playing with the spirit of the game," Kumble said.
He also said he was prevented from elaborating on his specific complaints about the Australian players but indicated he was upset at the refusal of their batsmen to walk when they were clearly out.
The Indians were on the wrong end of a number of bad umpiring decisions throughout the course of the match but the most crucial occurred on the first day when Australian all-rounder Andrew Symonds was given not out by West Indian umpire Steve Bucknor.
'Sincere', 'honest'
Symonds, who later admitted he had nicked the ball and should have been sent packing, was on 30 at the time but went on to make 162 not out and help Australia recover from a batting slump to make 463.
"We like to play hard on the field and we expect that from Australia as well," Kumble said.
"I've played my cricket very sincerely and very honestly and that's the approach my team takes on the field and I expect that from the Australians as well."
Kumble also bristled when asked about the incident in which Sourav Ganguly was given out after Michael Clarke claimed a catch that was extremely close to the ground.
"We had decided that we will be honest and when a catch is taken the player says he's taken it, the captain nods his head and the umpire gives him out," Kumble said.
Australian captain Ricky Ponting added to the tension after the dismissal, when he could then be seen motioning to Ganguly with a raised finger.
Simmering tensions
Relations between the teams were already strained after Ponting lodged a complaint about Indian spinner Harbhajan Singh for allegedly making a racist comment to Symonds, but the Australian skipper denied there was any lingering bad blood between the sides.
"(I have) Absolutely no doubt about this match being played in the right spirit," he said.
Kumble did admit his team had batted poorly on the last day, collapsing to be all out for 210 when they needed to bat through the day to salvage a draw.
However, he insisted his team still did not deserve to lose.
"The fair result would have been a draw," he said.
"It's tough when you've played all forms of cricket over the last 25 years and end up on the losing side like this."
He added, "We could have probably showed a bit more fight and we could have saved the game."
- Reuters
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