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BCCI files appeal
India risk $ 2.3 m fine for suspending tour
Sack haughty Ponting: Roebuck
Harbhajan responsible for ban: Symonds
Test will be remembered for wrong reasons: Steve Waugh
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Aussie media backs Team India
Aussies play hard but fair: CA
We got to look forward: Ganguly
Armaan Ebrahim at a press conference in New Delhi on Monday.
— Tribune photo by Manas Ranjan Bhui
Dynamos take lead in finals
UP enter Ranji final
Sania advances, Paes out
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BCCI files appeal
Sydney/New Delhi, January 7 Angry over the ban and calling it “unfair and unacceptable”, an emergency meeting of the Board decided to fight out the issue with the Australians and the umpires who had done India in during the second Test, which went in favour of the home team. Arun Jaitley, a senior Board office-bearer and a well-known lawyer, drafted the complaint against match referee Mike Procter’s ban decision and filed it with the international cricket body within 24 hours of the verdict as required under rules. After the late-night punishment handed out by Procter, a furious BCCI president Sharad Pawar called an emergency meeting at his residence in New Delhi this morning, where all options, including pulling out of the series, were said to have been considered. At the meeting, it was decided to appeal against Procter’s decision and ask the ICC to suspend the order till the final disposal of the appeal. Pawar, who spoke to captain Anil Kumble and team manager Chetan Chauhan, said he had instructed the team not to leave Sydney until further directions. “We expect some decision by tomorrow,” he told reporters. Describing the ban on Harbhajan as “unfair and unacceptable”, the BCCI made it clear that it will fight the “false slur” cast on the ace spinner. It said India’s national commitment was against racism and was committed to protecting the country’s fair name. There were also reports that Sachin Tendulkar, who had given evidence for Harbhajan in the hearing yesterday, is said to have sent a sms to Pawar, saying that the bowler was innocent and he was sure about it. He is believed to have said that the Board should back the team in this hour of crisis and suggested that they should not play in Canberra if the ban is not lifted. The baggage of the team members which was loaded into the bus was taken out and took back to their hotel rooms after the BCCI asked the team not to go to Canberra. The BCCI also filed another complaint with the ICC against umpire Steve Bucknor, who had given a number of decisions against the Indian team, that he should not be allowed to officiate in the next Test in Perth. The ICC confirmed that it had received both appeals (against Harbhajan’s ban and against Bucknor). Earlier, it had maintained that as of now Bucknor would do duty in Perth. The BCCI has called an emergency Working Committee meeting tomorrow in New Delhi to decide the future course of action. Team departure put off The Indian cricket team today postponed its departure to Canberra to file an appeal against the three Test ban slapped on Harbhajan Singh for alleged racist comments on all-rounder Andrew Symonds. The team stayed put in the hotel, postponing their trip to Canberra where they will play a tour match, but sources said there is no immediate threat to the ongoing tour as yet. "The visitors are unlikely to leave for Canberra today where they are scheduled to play a two-day game against Australia Cricketers Territory (ACT) XI beginning on January 10," sources said. "We are most likely to leave for Canberra tomorrow. If there is no threat to the tour, there is no threat to this side game also," commented a member of the team management on condition of anonymity. Earlier the team twice changed its plan to leave for Canberra, first looking to keep their scheduled departure of 10.30 a.m local time intact, climbing up the bus and staying put in it for close to two hours. The parleys between the team management and Indian board back home then made players retrace their steps back to the team hotel. Again, in the afternoon, there appeared a possibility for players to leave for Canberra before this plan too was shelved. Apparently, Board had wanted the team to stay in Sydney as the paperwork regarding the filing of appeal on behalf of Harbhajan needed to be done in good time. "There is a lot of paperwork required and we need to be proper in our appeal hence we are delaying our departure to Sydney," said media manager MV Sridhar from the team hotel this morning. The Indian players held a meeting at the team hotel to express their solidarity for Harbhajan. The meeting --'an informal one,' according to media manager MV Sridhar---held under the stewardship of skipper Anil Kumble, was also an attempt to convey to the Indian cricket board the simmering discontent of the team on the injustice meted out to Harbhajan. Team India is unable to come to terms with the fact that Harbhajan has been deemed guilty on the basis of hearsay, the testimony which Symonds, team-mates Michael Clarke and Matthew Hayden, provided to the match referee Mike
Procter. — PTI
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India risk $ 2.3 m fine for suspending tour
Melbourne, January 7 The BCCI bigwigs are meeting in New Delhi tomorrow to determine the next course of action. Under ICC rules, member countries are obliged to fulfil their tour contracts except when the security of the players is at risk or the touring team's government orders that the tour should not proceed. India could also be liable to reimburse Cricket Australia for any losses incurred. Relations between the two sides reached a new low after Australia retained the Border-Gavaskar Trophy by snatching a last-minute victory in the second Test on Sunday night. The Indian players and management were incensed by the poor standard of umpiring, most of which favoured the home team, and Indian captain Anil Kumble revived echoes of the Bodyline controversy when he accused the Australians of not playing in the spirit of the game. The BCCI today issued an indignant statement deploring the slur cast on Harbhajan and the Indian nation. "Unfair allegation of racism against our Indian player is wholly unacceptable," The Australian quoted BCCI president Sharad Pawar, who is also a senior government minister, as saying. "The game of cricket is paramount, but so too is the honour of India's cricket team and every Indian. "The BCCI is committed to protect the country's fair name. India's national commitment is against racism. Our national struggle is based on values which negate racism. BCCI will fight this false and unfair slur cast on our player," Pawar said.
— ANI
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Sack haughty Ponting: Roebuck
Sydney, January 7 Lambasting the members of the Australian side for their rude behaviour, Roebuck, the former Somerset captain who is based in Sydney, singled out Ponting and said the captain must be sacked. “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 over the past few days,” said the furious former cricketer, also one of the best cricket writers of his era. “Beyond comparison it was the ugliest performance put up by an Australian side for 20 years,” he wrote in his column for Sydney Morning Herald. “The only surprising part of it is that the Indians have not packed their bags and gone home. There is no justice for them in this country, nor any manners,” he observed. He said the lack of sportsmanship among the Australians hurt their young fans and former players alike. “Pained past players rang to express their disgust. It was a wretched and ill-mannered display and not to be endured from any side, let alone an international outfit representing a proud sporting nation,” Roebuck wrote. According to him, Ponting and his men had embarrassed Australia through their triumph in the spiteful second Test. “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 a single mark of respect for his accomplished and widely admired opponents.” He was no less harsh on the hosts for targeting Harbhajan Singh. “Harbhajan can be an irritating young man but he is the head of a family and responsible for raising nine persons. And all Australian elders want to do is to hunt him from the game. “Australian fieldsmen fire insults from the corners of their mouths, an intemperate Sikh warrior overreacts and his rudeness is seized upon. It might impress barrack room lawyers,” he said. “In the past few days, Ponting has presided over a performance that dragged the game into the pits. He turned a group of professional cricketers into a pack of wild dogs,” he said.
— PTI
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Harbhajan responsible for ban: Symonds
Sydney, January 7 Symonds claimed Harbhajan had hit Brett Lee while batting, following which he had an altercation with the Indian. But if the episode earned Harbhajan a three-match ban from Procter, the off-spinner has none but himself to blame for that, Symonds said. "I'm a firm believer in sticking up for your teammate, so I stepped in and had a bit of a crack at Harbhajan, telling him exactly what I thought of his antics," Symonds told "The Daily Telegraph'. "He then had a shot back, which brings us to the situation we're facing tonight," he said, squarely blaming the Indian for the issue. Recalling how it all started, Symonds said, "Brett Lee had just sent down a delivery and Harbhajan took off down the wicket. When he was returning to his crease, he decided to hit Brett on the backside. I have no idea why he did it. I was standing nearby and when I saw what happened I thought: 'Hold on, that's not on'."
— PTI
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Test will be remembered for wrong reasons: Steve Waugh
Sydney, January 7 "This was a game that pushed people to the limits. It's a real pity this magnificent Test match will probably be remembered for all the wrong reasons - and not for the outstanding quality, pressure and the excruciating drama it ultimately provided," Waugh wrote in his columns in The Daily Telegraph, referring to the Test match, which was marred by erroneous umpiring by Steve Bucknor and Mark Benson and Harbhajan Singh being banned for an alleged racial remark at Andrew Symonds. "Umpires continually had to make crucial and often difficult decisions. And all this while off-field officials scrambled to decipher the on-field controversy. "Heading up a slew of hot topics was the Harbhajan-Symonds exchange. That quickly spiralled out of control, with emotions over-riding the need to think clearly and concisely about the ramifications," said the former Australian captain. Waugh went on to add that perhaps a better outcome may have been for both captains, coaches and named players to get together at the end of the day's play and work out a solution before they went past the point of no return - which now has the
potential to affect relations between both countries. "Of course there are always going to be two versions of what happened and no doubt Ricky (Ponting) wanted to support his own team mate, especially after Andrew Symonds' treatment on the recent Indian tour," said Waugh. The former Australian captain pointed out that problems would always arise when it's one person's word against another. "At the centre of the controversy is the alleged use of the word "monkey" which, if Harbhajan did say it, is both puerile and stupid after he was warned during the last one-day series. Clearly this can be viewed as racist but many on the sub-continent also see it as their way of "taking the mickey"," said Waugh.
— IANS
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Aussie media backs Team India
Sydney, January 7 In an unexpected show of solidarity, the Australian media rallied behind the Indian team, saying poor umpiring proved to be their nemesis and the least they deserved was a draw. The Australian national newspaper criticised the behaviour of the home team and said Steve Bucknor and Mark Benson should be called to account for their poor umpiring. "It is shameful this splendid Test match, won in such a remarkable fashion by the indomitable Australians, has left such a bitter taste," wrote Mike Coward, veteran cricket writer. "The standard of play often was outstanding and occasionally exceptional but the standard of player behaviour was questionable and, at times, unacceptable. And the standard of umpiring was poor. "Test cricket is not robust enough these days to withstand these failings and the protagonists and umpires Steve
Bucknor, in particular, and Mark Benson should be called to account," he said. Brisbane's Courier-Mail felt any fair-minded judge has to feel sympathy for the Indians and a draw was the very least they deserved. "At least six poor decisions went against them and don't be surprised, with their spirit broken, if they struggle to fire a shot in the final two Tests of the summer unless that shot is in the direction of umpire Steve
Bucknor. A draw was the very least they deserved." wrote Robert Craddock. Craddock said Bucknor should be replaced for the next Test and there should be a mechanism in place to hold the umpires accountable. "While blogging over the past five days I have been deluged with the outraged writings of shattered Indian fans from Mumbai to San Francisco who feel 61-year-old Bucknor's best days - and undoubtedly they were good ones - are long gone," wrote Craddock. "I haven't disagreed with a word. He should be banished for ever immediately, but sadly, he will be back in the middle for the next Test." Former Australia captain Steve Waugh, said the already boiling situation has the potential to affect the relationship between the two countries and urged the captains and the players to get together and work out a solution. "Perhaps a better outcome may have been for both captains, coaches and named players to get together at the end of the day's play and work out a solution before they went past the point of no return - which now has the potential to affect relations between both countries," Waugh wrote in Sydney's Daily Telegraph.
— PTI
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Aussies play hard but fair: CA
Melbourne, January 7 Australia also have a well-publicised history of “sledging” or verbally abusing their opponents to put them off their game. However, Cricket Australia said today that their cricketers always played within the laws and the spirit of the sport. “It has always been the Australian way to play the game hard but fair,” CA chief executive James Sutherland told reporters. “Tough and uncompromising is certainly the way all Australian teams have played. It does not matter who is the captain. “This team under Ricky Ponting is no exception ... (and) Cricket Australia supports the Australian team in its endeavours to play the game as best as they possibly can.” After his side had lost by 122 runs, Kumble said that “only one side was playing in the spirit of the game” after several incidents during the Test, which were headlined by Harbhajan Singh being banned for three Tests after he was found guilty of racially abusing Andrew Symonds. Harbhajan was cited by match referee Mike Procter after Ricky Ponting complained to on-field umpires Steve Bucknor and Mark Benson the off-spinner had called Symonds a “monkey”.
— Reuters
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We got to look forward: Ganguly
Sydney, January 7 India needed to bat out a little more than the last two sessions to secure a draw but the top order crumbled before Ganguly (51) and Dravid (38) joined to steady the rocking boat. But just when they seemed to have put India back on the track, Dravid was ruled caught out by Bucknor despite the ball brushing his knee-roll and then Ganguly was given the marching order even though Michael Clarke took a bump catch, also grounding it while rolling over. Though he fell short of criticising the umpires, Ganguly has no doubt that the crucial dismissals cost India the match. Asked if it was the most controversial match he played in ever, Ganguly said, "I don't want to get into it. It has been a tough Test match - I would like to put it this way. "It was a different Test match," he said. Though the players are finding it tough to shrug off the disappointment, Ganguly said the need was to look forward. "But we got to look forward. We have two more Test matches to go and we would try our best to do well in the series," he added.
— PTI
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Armaan to race in GP2 Asia
New Delhi, January 7 The talented Armaan, though, enjoys a huge advantage over his two senior pros in the matter of age, and he has taken all the “right decisions” to work his way up to the F1 level. With the country also now boasting of an F1 team, Force India, motor sports in the country will get a great boost if the three top drivers figure in the F1 event by 2010. Armaan has been signed up to have top drive with UK-based power team David Price Racing (DPR) to compete in the 2008 GP2 Asia Series. The 10-race GP2 Asia Championship will feature a maximum of 26 cars on the grid, and will provide an excellent platform for Armaan to get into F1. Armaan, who was the youngest driver to finish in the top three of Formula Renault V6 Series, National Racing and National Asia Karting Championship, said he would be open to more such opportunities this year. His career has received a further boost as an Italian shoe company has come forward to sponsor him without having business stake in India. This deal is outside the lucrative sponsorship he presently enjoys with the support of JK Tyre and Industries, Bharat Petroleum, Amaron and ELF Lubricants. Armaan said here today that he finished with five first places, two second places and two third places with most number of wins in F-Renault V6 Asia Championship. He also drove for A1 Team India in the 2006-07 season, which, he felt, was “too early for him”. “2007 was a really good year with lots of wins which gave a boost to my confidence. I also learnt a lot technically,” he said. With Armaan’s entry into the GP2 event, India has lowered the age barrier, with the average age of the drivers in the GP2 now being 20-21. Armaan, whom his father Akbar Ebrahim termed as a “ferocious driver with speed”, is also helped by “genetic advantage” as racing blood runs in his veins. Akbar said Armaan could break into the F1 fold when he hits 21 years or thereabout, which will be a major climbdown from the 25-26 years when most racing stars break into the F1 league. “Younger guys now manage to cop with the rigours of F1,” observed Akbar. Akbar, who was the first Indian to race in the F3 and F2 events way back in 1972-73, and had trained Karthikeyan during his formative years, said his son had taken the right course in his bid to move into the elite F1 league. Sanjay Sharma of JK Tyres, who has played a proactive role in the progress of Armaan by lining up sponsors for him, observed that all the three top Indian drivers would have to prove their worth if they wanted to be in the Force India fold as Vijay Mallya’s team were not just aiming to be just a team, but were also looking for a podium finish.
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Dynamos take lead in finals
Chandigarh, January 7 Putting up a superb show, agile forward Sher Singh did not let the team feel the absence of international Prabhjot Singh, who could not play due to a fractured finger. Most of the spectators, who turned up in substantial number, were not even settled in their seats when the Dynamos drew first blood in the second minute through Sher Singh. He deflected a free hit by Sandeep Singh into the goal to put his team 1-0 ahead. The Dynamos got a golden opportunity in the next minute but Hi-Fliers custodian Bharath Kumar blocked Ghazanfar Ali’s deflection off Sandeep’s hit. The Dynamos doubled the margin as skipper Rajpal Singh single-handedly darted into the right corner of the circle. Dodging the defenders, he executed a reverse flick to make it 2-0 in the seventh minute. The Hi-Fliers pulled one back in the 13th minute. Skipper Tushar Khandekar took the ball from his side to the striking circle. Dynamos custodian Baljit Singh’s early charge made it easy for Khandekar, who gave a pass to Sandeep Michael in front of the goalmouth, who made no mistake to reduce the margin. The Dynamos increased the lead in the 37th minute when Deepak Thakur executed a shot from top of the ‘D’ after collecting a pass off Ravi Pal to make it 3-1. Thereafter, the Bangalore team made repeated raids in the third and fourth quarters but Dynamos defenders Sandeep and Zeeshan Ashraf thwarted many moves. In the fourth quarter, the Hi-Fliers earned four penalty corners (65th, 66th, 67th and 69th minutes) but all went abegging due to the efforts of Sandeep and Baljit Singh. The Hi-Fliers made it 2-3 at the fag-end of the match when Bimal Lakra’s hit was deflected into the goal by Hari Prasad.
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UP enter Ranji final
Vadodara, January 7 Chasing 162 to win, Saurashtra were all out for 113 in the first hour of the third day’s play at Motibagh Ground. Requiring 69 to win when the day began, the last three Saurashtra wickets could add just 20 runs to the overnight total of 93. Overnight batsmen Kotak (52) and Kamlesh Makwana (13) had added just 10 more runs to their eighth-wicket partnership when Pravin Kumar dismissed Makwana. Pravin (4-39) then castled Sandeep Jobanputra (0), while Kotak perished to Sudeep Tyagi (4-42), sealing Saurashtra’s fate. UP will meet the winners of the other semifinal between Delhi and Baroda. The final is scheduled to be held in Mumbai from January 16. Brief scores: UP:
188 and 100 Saurashtra: 127 and 113 Solanki leads Baroda fightback Indore:
After conceding a 72-runs first-innings lead, Baroda, guided by Rakesh Solanki’s patient 96 and a late-order assault by Yusuf Pathan (86 not out), came back in style against Delhi on the third day of the Ranji Trophy semifinal here on Monday. At stumps, Baroda were 281 for six, holding an overall lead of 209 over Delhi with four second-innings’ wickets in hand. Brief scores: Baroda: 199 and 281 for 6 Delhi:
271.
— Agencies
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Hobart, January 7 The sixth-seed Indian beat the Spaniard qualifier 6-4, 6-0 to advance to the second round of the Tier IV hardcourt event. Sania next face “lucky loser” Russian Alla Kudryavtseva, who beat local girl Monique Adamczak 6-3, 6-2. Meanwhile, in Sydney, Leander Paes and Australian Paul Hanley crashed out of the $4,65,000 Medibank International. Paes-Hanley lost to the fourth-seed Czech pair of Martin Damm - former partner of the Indian ace - and Pavel Vizner 6-7, 4-6 in the first round. Another Indian in the fray, Mahesh Bhupathi, has paired up with Mark Knowles and they would open their campaign against the Czech duo of Radek Stepanek and Tomas Berdych.
— PTI
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Cricket Australia gags Symonds