Was it said or not ?????
Posted: Thu Jan 10, 2008 12:16 amFrom 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.
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.
Pots kettles and the clour black.
