Home Sports It’s India vs. ICC, says Aussie commentator

It’s India vs. ICC, says Aussie commentator

By IANS

Sydney : Arguing that “India must not be allowed to run the game,” an Australian commentator has also called on the International Cricket Council (ICC) not to give in before the Indian “cricketing wealth” in the controversy over banning Indian spinner Harbhajan Singh for three Tests.

“India cricketing wealth may be 50 times that of any rival, but that does not give that country the right to run the game,” Robert Craddock wrote in the Courier Mail.

But he admitted that Indians got the worse deal in terms of umpiring decisions.

“It’s a shame India have sulked in the way they have because many Australians feel deeply sympathetic for the dreadful hand the tourists were dealt in Sydney, with at least six important decisions not going their way. The Indians were dudded; it’s as simple as that,” he wrote.

“India must not be allowed to run the game, and the ICC now faces one of the biggest days in its 98-year existence – when it simply must seize control of the game.”

He said: “India’s threat to boycott the Australian tour has come down to a battle of who runs cricket: India or the ICC.”

He suggested ICC chief executive Malcolm Speed should give ground on one key issue and stand as firm as a brick statue on another.

India want Steve Bucknor sacked from the third Test in Perth, and so he should be, Craddock noted, adding every grievance India have against Bucknor is genuine.

But the commentator also maintained India’s suspension of the tour while waiting for an appeal on the three-test ban on Harbhajan Singh is a veiled form of blackmail.

“It must be treated with the harsh response it deserves,” he added. “If the ICC feels Harbhajan was worth suspending, it must not crumble in the face of pressure from the world’s most powerful cricket nation.

“If the ICC buckles and overturns the Harbhajan verdict because of Indian pressure, it may as well shut its doors in Dubai and cease to exist.

“Whatever credibility it has will be lost forever. And it will be a crippling blow for cricket because a sport without a strong leadership can never reach its potential. A game run by self-interests is a game in trouble.

“If the Harbhajan verdict stands – as it should – and India abandon the tour, then so be it.”