Was it said or not ?????

[Blue Boy]

From Fox Sports

INDIAN captain Anil Kumble said he asked Australian skipper Ricky Ponting to settle the Harbhajan Singh racial abuse allegation without making a formal complaint.

However Ponting told him he had already spoken to the umpires about the incident.

The incident during last week's second Test in Sydney resulted in a three-match ban for the Indian spinner, prompting the Indian board (BCCI) to threaten to suspend the tour.

India are in Canberra for a three-day game against an ACT XI at Manuka Oval after spending the past two days in Sydney waiting to hear back from their board on whether or not the tour would proceed.

The BCCI lodged an appeal against Harbhajan's suspension and the appeal date before New Zealand High Court judge John Hansen is yet to be set, allowing the fiery slow bowler to play in next week's third Test in Perth.

The Indians have also successfully pushed to remove West Indian umpire Steve Bucknor from next week's third Test in Perth.

Ponting has defended his actions by saying he was obligated under the playing conditions of the four-Test series to report any incidents of racial abuse.

"When that incident happened I did make a request to Ricky Ponting that it should be handled, if it can be sorted out, whatever," Kumble said.

"His response was that it had already been reported.

"Having played cricket for this long, (I knew) such an allegation would definitely spiral into what it has now. I anticipated that it would spiral into a larger issue.

"There is an appeal that has been made so we are hopeful we get the right decision.

"From what I gather from my two team-mates from the Indian side who were on the field, that remark was never made.

"People believe that a word was said, which was not said.

"It has been tough. It has been very difficult because it's a very serious issue.

"The entire team is together on this and has really backed him.

"I am really proud of that fact and I'd like to thank the BCCI for fully backing us.

"We are all with Bhaji (Harbhajan). It's not easy but he seems to be in a good mood."

The Australians also say Symonds was called a "monkey" by Harbhajan in the one-day series in India in October and the big Queenslander had approached his Indian rival in the dressing rooms after the game and explained it was a racially insulting term.

But Kumble said Harbhajan had told him that incident also did not happen.

However Kumble said the game was bigger than individuals.

"It will be a hard-fought match (in Perth). It's important that whatever cricket that we play is remembered. I'm hopeful that will be the case," he said.

Kumble infamously said in his press conference following the Sydney Test that only one team was playing in the "spirit of cricket".

But now he is trying to be more generous about the Australians' hard-edged playing style.

"It was only meant for the Sydney game," he said.

"I have great respect and regard for all the players who play for Australia.

"It was just one of those incidents which everybody has seen.

"If people think I had a biased opinion, there has been a poll and people who have seen the game have also said that it could have been better."

Kumble also confirmed the Indians would push ahead with their formal complaint against Australian spinner Brad Hogg for abusive language. The charge will be heard in Perth next week.

Ponting and Kumble will meet before the third Test to discuss player behaviour.

"On behalf of my team, I can assure that we will play in the right spirit," Kumble said.

Asked which specific incidents so riled the Indians in the Sydney Test, Kumble said: "It's important that Ricky and I get together and address it, rather than I say it now ... outside the cricketing field."

The BCCI has agreed to proceed with the tour "for the time being", with a dismissal of Harbhajan's appeal likely to trigger a fresh threat to the one-day series between India, Sri Lanka and Australia due to start in Brisbane on February 3.

The Sri Lankans are believed to be ready to back the Indians if they decide to pull out of the one-day series.

[Blue Boy]

So if it wasnt said why did it get to this ???

So why if what Anil is stating is correct did we make it up ???

So why did the Indians say that the word monkey is actually not racial ???

WTF are Sri Lankans gonna pull out of the one day series if the Indians do ???

[Blue Boy]

I personally think that Cricket Australia should remove the gag from Roy and let him have his say !!!

In Australia we live and breath by our democratic right to have a say - let the big fella have his say and put it to bed !!!

[jackpot jim]

Who GAF What was said on the Field, Umpires Didn't Hear anything, No one got Killed or Injured so what in the Hell is the Problem. Ponting Should Learn to Keep his Mouth Shut and Just let His Bat do the Talking.
By Squealing to the Umpires was always only going to Make matters worse although i Dont Agree with Indias' course of Action. Typical case of the Aussies giving it But cant Take it.

[rod_rooster]

Who GAF What was said on the Field, Umpires Didn't Hear anything, No one got Killed or Injured so what in the Hell is the Problem. Ponting Should Learn to Keep his Mouth Shut and Just let His Bat do the Talking.
By Squealing to the Umpires was always only going to Make matters worse although i Dont Agree with Indias' course of Action. Typical case of the Aussies giving it But cant Take it.

Is it that f*cking difficult to understand! How many times does it need to be explained FFS. The captains of all Test playing nations have been directed by the ICC to do exactly what Ricky Ponting did in the case of such and incident. He was only following instructions. It is not Australia that handed down any penalties nor is it Australia that made any racial remarks. Why are the Australians being made out to be the bad guys when only one side has even been suggested of making racial remarks and Ricky Ponting was just making a report to the match refereee as he had been instructed to do if such an incident occurs?

As for Australia not playing in the spirit of the game what a lot of crap. Coming from an Indian side this can't be taken seriously but the Australian public likes to cut down successful individuals. The Indians complaining about players claiming doubtful catches and not walking Pots kettles and the clour black.

And lastly Aussies giving it but can't take it? When has it even be suggested a racial slur was directed at any of the Indian team from a member of the Australian side?

[Dirko]

Good reply Rod.

FFS If Ricky didn't put in a report he would've been going against ICC directives. If one of the umpires DID hear the slur, and Ricky didn't report it surely the umpires would've reported it and then Ricky would've got his ass kicked for not following ICC directives.
From what I could gather from the report in BB post, Anil Kumble should be fined for trying to persuade Ricky not to follow a ICC directive also.

If there are any sooks in this it's the Indians. The Australians have done the right thing. It was a racial comment which should not be tolerated.
Cop the ban and get on with it....

[Brucetiki]

I don't think Kumble has done Dickhead Singh any favours by making this comment. To me, it looks like Kumble (like his BCCI mates) just wanted to bury his head in the sand and pretend Dickhead said nothing. He's obviously made the comments if Kumble's tried to bury it under the carpet.

[Hondo]

I think suggesting that Ponting should have gone against ICC directive on this issue to try to sort it out in an unofficial way is completely unfair. He then opens up to criticism that he condones racist comments, doesn't think they are serious, etc. Particularly when Symmo copped the same 'monkey' taunts in India recently which started the strained relationship between the 2 sides. He seems to be damned if he does and damned if he doesn't.

We can't on one hand say the ICC isn't strong enough in running cricket and then on the other suggest players need to work around the ICC system to resolve issues

I think from the Indian's POV it was a build up of (in their minds) Aussies not walking, Aussies appealling for things that were not out, bad umpiring decisions, losing an important match with 1 over to spare and then the Singh report. This lead to an emotional over-reaction which I think they will regret in time, if not already.

And given that the Singh decision is still being appealled I doubt they are suddenly going to confess publicly. I don't agree with it but its turned into "he said / she said".

[Felch]

If the Indians claim it wasnt said, why would Kumble offer to work it out with Ponting?
I think Kumble has basically proved Harbajan is guilty, if he didnt say it, surely there was nothing to 'work out'.
Ponting did what was asked of him by the ICC, report it and let them deal with it.

Another thing, John Bertram and Rob Decastella !!! FFS
What the hell would these blokes know about test cricket. Pull ya heads in !!!

[rod_rooster]

Another thing, John Bertram and Rob Decastella !!! FFS
What the hell would these blokes know about test cricket. Pull ya heads in !!!

They're just after some media attention for themselves.

[Ian]

This first quote would suggest the comment was made

From Fox Sports.................
"When that incident happened I did make a request to Ricky Ponting that it should be handled, if it can be sorted out, whatever," Kumble said.

this one he is claiming it wasn't

"From what I gather from my two team-mates from the Indian side who were on the field, that remark was never made.

IMHO, it was more likely to have been said than not said

[westcoastpanther]

What do you mean was he......

[another grub]

Im with Niel Harveys comments on Fox Sp news.......

[tigersupporter]

If the Indians claim it wasnt said, why would Kumble offer to work it out with Ponting?

I think Kumble has basically proved Harbajan is guilty, if he didnt say it, surely there was nothing to 'work out'.
Ponting did what was asked of him by the ICC, report it and let them deal with it.

Another thing, John Bertram and Rob Decastella !!! FFS
What the hell would these blokes know about test cricket. Pull ya heads in !!!

this comment is spot on. and what kind of people burn dummys of people in the streets when they lose a game, or have massive fences around their grounds because their supporters are idiots?
I say let the indians abandon the series and go home, two of the most under achieving teams at the moment are india and pakistan, and the governing body of cricket let them get away with everything, remember Daryl Hair? now big Steve has had the push.

[stan]

If the Indians claim it wasnt said, why would Kumble offer to work it out with Ponting?

I think Kumble has basically proved Harbajan is guilty, if he didnt say it, surely there was nothing to 'work out'.
Ponting did what was asked of him by the ICC, report it and let them deal with it.

Another thing, John Bertram and Rob Decastella !!! FFS
What the hell would these blokes know about test cricket. Pull ya heads in !!!

this comment is spot on. and what kind of people burn dummys of people in the streets when they lose a game, or have massive fences around their grounds because their supporters are idiots?
I say let the indians abandon the series and go home, two of the most under achieving teams at the moment are india and pakistan, and the governing body of cricket let them get away with everything, remember Daryl Hair? now big Steve has had the push.

Yeah mate but some of Steves calls were pretty bad. I think hes a bit past it now.

[stan]

Actually you know what lets fix this the old fashioned way. Symonds V Singh in 3 rounds of bare knuckle boxing. Yeah?

Seriously now, lets now get on with the cricket and let the fire works happen out there on the field. And in the 3rd test there will be plenty of them.

[BIG SEXY]

i cant wait to see lee and tait unleashed on a bouncy waca

[tigersupporter]

If the Indians claim it wasnt said, why would Kumble offer to work it out with Ponting?

I think Kumble has basically proved Harbajan is guilty, if he didnt say it, surely there was nothing to 'work out'.
Ponting did what was asked of him by the ICC, report it and let them deal with it.

Another thing, John Bertram and Rob Decastella !!! FFS
What the hell would these blokes know about test cricket. Pull ya heads in !!!

this comment is spot on. and what kind of people burn dummys of people in the streets when they lose a game, or have massive fences around their grounds because their supporters are idiots?
I say let the indians abandon the series and go home, two of the most under achieving teams at the moment are india and pakistan, and the governing body of cricket let them get away with everything, remember Daryl Hair? now big Steve has had the push.

Yeah mate but some of Steves calls were pretty bad. I think hes a bit past it now.

maybe you are right, but mark benson made errors as well, and nothing was said about him.