No
Bucknor for Perth Test, Harbhajan free to play
SYDNEY,
Jan 8: Controversial
West Indian umpire Steve Bucknor was today
removed from officiating in the remaining
India-Australia Test series and Harbhajan Singh
was cleared to play pending his appeal against a
three-Test ban as the ICC yielded to a strong
Indian protest.
Bucknor was
replaced with New Zealand’s Billy Bowden for
the third cricket Test between the two sides in
Perth starting January 16. He will stand
alongside Pakistan’s Asad Rauf, who had been
originally appointed for this game.
The ICC also
cleared Harbhajan, who was slapped with a
three-match ban for allegedly racially abusing
Australian all rounder Andrew Symonds, to play
until a decision is made on the BCCI appeal
against the ban.
Besides, the ICC
appointed chief referee Ranjan Madugalle as
facilitator for the smooth running of the Perth
match.
"It is
accepted that Steve, and his on-field colleague
Mark Benson, did not have good games by their
very high standards and we feel that given the
added pressure and attention Steve’s
presence would have at the third Test, it is
better for the match and for Steve himself if he
does not take part," ICC chief executive
Malcolm Speed said.
The fourth and
final Test at Adelaide, which starts on January
24, will be umpired by Bowden and Rauf, as per
the original appointments.
Madugalle has been
brought in to assist in ensuring the match is
played in the "best possible spirit".
"The decision
was made in the interests of giving the series a
fresh start following instances of ill-feeling
between the teams and some on-field umpiring
errors that have been made in the series so
far," the ICC said in a statement.
"It is also
designed to create an environment whereby the
match can be played without undue attention and
added pressure being heaped on the match
officials," it added.
Madugalle has been
asked to travel to Perth in order to assist the
match referee and the two captains in
re-establishing an atmosphere of goodwill and
mutual respect between the two teams.
Mike Procter will
continue as match referee for the remainder of
the series as planned.
Speed, however,
said the ICC’s decision to remove Bucknor
was not influenced by the BCCI’s complain.
"It is
important to stress that Steve has not been
replaced due to any representations made by any
team or individuals. The ICC remains the sole
body responsible for the appointment of umpires
and no team has the right to object to any
appointment.
"The decision
by the ICC to replace Steve for this match was
made in the best interests of the game and the
series," said Speed.
On
Madugalle’s appointment as facilitator, the
ICC CEO said the chief referee has been brought
in to prevent any "ill-feeling" between
the two sides during the match.
"We are
bringing Ranjan in as a facilitator in an effort
to prevent any ill-feeling that may have been
present at the Sydney Test from rolling over to
Perth," he explained.
"Ranjan is
our chief referee and a highly respected figure
within the game. He will remind the captains and
other players of their responsibilities to
conduct themselves in line with the spirit of
cricket," he added.
The ICC confirmed
that it has received an official notification
from the BCCI of its appeal against the finding
that Harbhajan was guilty of making a racist
remark to Symonds.
The ICC will
appoint a code of conduct Commissioner to hear
the appeal. The details of when and where the
appeal hearing will take place will be released
after the Commissioner is named, Speed said.
In the mean time,
the release said, as per the code of conduct
regulations, Harbhajan may continue to play
pending verdict of the appeal being given.
"The ICC has
a robust process of dealing with code of conduct
issues and that process will now run its natural
course," said Speed. (PTI)
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