By IANS
Sydney : The Indian team was still unaware of the International Cricket Council’s move to remove umpire Steve Bucknor from the third Test at Perth, when they went to Sydney’s Bondi Beach for an informal beach volleyball game with the lifeguards.
But by the time they returned to their hotel, there was good news waiting for them, one which must surely have given them a sense of relief: Bucknor was removed and Harbhajan Singh’s three-Test ban was suspended till the next hearing following India’s appeal against the ban imposed by match referee Mike Procter.
The Indians had stayed back in Sydney instead of being in Canberra preparing for a two-day tour match before the third Test in Perth.
While the Indians went to the beach, the Australians stayed on at the Sydney Cricket Ground, but not for cricket.
Brad Hogg, who is awaiting a hearing by the ICC on a complaint from the Indian team, was shooting for a Bollywood movie – “Victory” – alongside Brett Lee, Stuart Clarke, Michael Hussey and Brad Haddin.
Instead of maintaining a low profile, as may have been expected of them, the Indians opted for day out at the beach, where they were thronged by media and autograph hunters.
Their bus trip saw a huge rush of reporters and photographers following them, but the Indians maintained their poise. And after arriving at the beach, they played beach volleyball, at first with some Bondi lifeguards, and then amongst themselves.