India suspends cricket tour

Last Modified: 07 Jan 2008
By: Carl Dinnen

India has suspended its tour of Australia while appealing the suspension of spin bowler Harbhjan Singh for racial abuse.

Singh was banned for three Tests after he was alleged to have called Andrew Symonds, the only non-white player in the Australian team, a "monkey".

The Indian cricket board (BCCI) have responded by halting the tour with two matches of the four Test series still to play.

A statement from the BCCI said: "The board will appeal to the International Cricket Council to review the decision of the match referee and suspend its operation till the appeal is disposed of."

A spokesman for the Indian cricket team told reporters: "The team will not leave Sydney and move to Canberra as planned today. The India team will now stay in Sydney as they await the appeal against the decision by match referee Mike Procter, who was persuaded Harbhajan had used the word and that "he meant it to offend on the basis of Symonds' race or ethnic origin".

The BCCI move is the latest development in a contest which is threatening to rival the infamous 'Bodyline' series for the bitterness between hosts and tourists.

India skipper Anil Kumble evoked memories of the 1932-33 Ashes series, when English bowlers used aggressive bowling tactics to nullify the threat of Australian hero Don Bradman.

'All I'll say about the umpires is that they're out there like me trying to do the best job that they can.'
Ricky Ponting

After his side had lost the second Test following a series of disputed decisions, Kumble said: "Only one team was playing within the spirit of the game, that's all I can say."

Australian captain Ricky Ponting, however, said there was "no doubt about this match being played in the right spirit".

He added: "There's been one little issue that's come out of the game. Otherwise, the spirit between both teams in both Tests has been excellent.

"All I'll say about the umpires is that they're out there like me trying to do the best job that they can.

"Sure, they made a few mistakes, but that's the game of cricket."

India lost the second Test against Australia on Sunday and is now trailing 2-0 in the series.