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Cricket: No Bucknor for 3rd Test, Harbhajan can Play

  •   Tue, Jan 08 2008 12:45:33 PM

No Bucknor for 3rd Test, Harbhajan can play
 
Press Trust of India 
 
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.

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Comment on this article

  • denzil fernandes, dubai

    Wed, Jan 09 2008

    Bucknor and Bhajji made the headlines for all the wrong reasons. While Bucknor goes back to the West Indies for a permanent siesta, our own Bhajji should be careful as well when on the field. Thank God Srisanth was not around in Sydney which would have added more fuel to the fire.

    Probably both the teams will have a cool lemonade before the next test with a good sermon by chief referee Ranjan Madugalle of Sri Lanka. However, the ICC has clearly indicated that they were not happy with Mike Procter's decision to ban Harbhajan Singh by appointing Madugalle above him to supervise the next test.

    Likewise, Bucknor may not figure in any more matches at all. Short of hearing as well good eye sight probably which he clearly proved in the recent Sydney Test, Bucknor should now plan to officiate some football matches in his village and make the locals happy. In a football game you have don't have to hear anything and the ball is obviously very big for the eyes to see ! Or better still, he may officiate one football match and also act as the referee for another cricket match at an adjacent ground to please his supporters.

    Now that the various issues have been solved much to the delight of the mighty BCCI, good cricket action should be the top item. Whether the dejected Indians will lift their spirits and stun the Australians in the third test at Perth is one big question which only time will tell. I do not see a big revival from the Indians except that those who have not played earlier will get a chance to flex their muscles and impress the onlookers.

    For all intents and purposes, with the shocking defeat in Sydney and the loss of the series combining with the racist issue, it is difficult to imagine quality cricket emerging at Perth. One hopes that the Indians will prove everyone wrong and come out with flying colours. There cannot be a better platform or occasion for our stalwarts to thank their massive Indian supporters and the BCCI with a test match win in Perth.

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  • Alfred J. Rebello, Kundapur/Dubai

    Tue, Jan 08 2008

    Well Done BCCI. At last you showed you have dignity. Now we know if BCCI wants they can do miracles for the game of Cricket.

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Title: Cricket: No Bucknor for 3rd Test, Harbhajan can Play



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