Cricket/Australia v India:International cricket officials were last night locked in intense negotiations to try to resurrect India's tour of Australia after allegations of racism against one of the tourists' leading players threatened to plunge the game into crisis.
In a row that has reopened the racial fault lines in the international game, the Board of Cricket Control of India (BCCI) announced yesterday it had temporarily suspended its tour after the off-spinner Harbhajan Singh was banned for three matches for allegedly racially abusing Andrew Symonds, Australia's only black player.
The Australians allege that Singh called Symonds a "monkey" in a heated exchange during the second Test in Sydney, which was won narrowly by Australia on Sunday evening. The Indians deny that any racist language was used, and the BCCI's decision to suspend the tour - in effect a threat to return home if Singh is not cleared on appeal - is a direct challenge to the authority of the game's governing body, the International Cricket Council.
The Indian board have also demanded the removal of the two umpires who officiated in the Sydney Test and issued an official complaint against the Australian player Brad Hogg, who they claim called the Indian captain Anil Kumble a "bastard" during the game.
The row between two of the game's most powerful and successful nations brought effigy-burning crowds on to the streets of Indian cities and has prompted comparisons to some of cricket's most controversial episodes. In a parody of the 1930s Bodyline controversy, when English bowlers deliberately aimed to hit opposing batsmen, the new crisis has been dubbed "Bollyline" by the Australian media.
The dispute has once again exposed the sensitivity of relations between the Asian cricketing nations and the rest of the world.
Race remains an acutely sensitive subject in the game. Symonds was the subject of racist barracking during Australia's recent tour of India, and the ICC recently settled with the Australian umpire Darryl Hair, who claimed his dismissal in the wake of the Pakistan ball tampering row amounted to racial discrimination.
The exchange between Symonds and Singh was the low point of a rancorous match in which several contentious umpiring decisions went against India, and contributed to their defeat. The most notable incident came when Symonds was given not out on the first day despite edging a catch to the Indian wicketkeeper having scored just 30 runs. He went on to make a match-turning 162 not out, and in subsequent interviews was unrepentant about not "walking".
The row with Harbhajan Singh came on the third day when the Indian was batting, and the pair, both known for their intense competitive edge, were separated by team-mates after a long exchange apparently initiated by Symonds. Despite not hearing the exchange the umpires, the West Indian Steve Bucknor and Englishman Mark Benson, spoke to the players on the field and Singh was charged at the end of the day after Australia's captain, Ricky Ponting, complained.
At the official hearing Ponting and Symonds testified that Singh had used the word monkey. Kumble and the senior player Sachin Tedulkar, who was batting with Singh at the time, denied the allegation. But the South African match referee, Mike Procter, said he was satisfied that Singh had used the word and that "he meant it to offend on the basis of Symonds' race or ethnic origin".
With the third Test due to begin in Perth on January 16th, the ICC is under intense pressure to deliver a compromise. One option being considered is to delay Singh's appeal until after the fourth Test, which starts on January 24th, enabling the tour to continue.
Countdown to confrontation
October 2nd:Australia beat India by 84 runs in the second one-day international in Kochi and after the game, Harbhajan Singh slams the Australian team for their "vulgar" behaviour.
"They think they are superior and can do and say whatever they like," the spinner said.
"I don't have any problem with chit-chat on the field, but when it is very personal and vulgar, that is not on. If they want to play like that, they'll get it back from us."
October 17th:India win the final match but Australia take the series 4-2, however "monkey" chants directed at Australia all-rounder Andrew Symonds by sections of the Indian crowd dominate the headlines.
December 18th:The India squad arrives in Australia ahead of the four-Test series.
December 29th:Yuvraj Singh is cleared of dissent during the first Test following charges he stood his ground for several seconds after umpire Billy Bowden gave him out.
Australia go on to win the match by 337 runs.
January 4th:Harbhajan is charged with using offensive language during the second Test after Australia captain Ricky Ponting reports him to umpire Mark Benson following an altercation with Symonds.
January 6th:Australia equal their own world record of 16 consecutive Test victories with a 122-run win, but more controversy follows.
Harbhajan is found guilty of abusive language for allegedly calling Symonds a "monkey" and match referee Mike Procter hands the off-spinner a three-Test ban.
India counter-claim by making accusations against spinner Brad Hogg.
