By IRNA-PTI
Perth : Setting aside the acrimony plaguing the cricket series, India Monday dropped charges against Australian spinner Brad Hogg, a goodwill gesture intended to ease the simmering tension between the two teams.
The move, which was described as a “magnificent gesture” by Match Referee Mike Procter, followed a reconciliation meeting between two captains Anil Kumble and Ricky Ponting with ICC chief Match Referee Ranjan Madugalle playing the peace broker.
“From what happened with Ricky and I, we had a discussion with Ranjan and after that it was important that the game of cricket moved on.
“We decided as a team that we withdraw the charge made against Brad Hogg,” Kumble told reporters, adding Hogg probably made the comment ” in the heat of the moment”.
“Cricket is larger than the individual and it was important that we forgot about what happened in Sydney as one of those bad moments and that it was time to move on,” he said.
The surprise development immediately triggered off speculation of a peace deal with the Australians but the Indians were quick to dismiss such suggestions, saying there was no quid pro quo in this matter.
“The two issues (Harbhjan and Hogg) are absolutely independent of each other and we are prepared to slug it out in Harbhajan’s defence.
There is no quid pro quo in this matter,” Indian team’s media manager M V Sridhar said.
Both captains, after the 45-minute meeting, declared the rest of the series would be played in “great spirit”.
The meeting was held under a tight security cover and both the captains were seen laughing and joking together before the meeting.
Ponting and Kumble also pledged there would be no repeat of the second Test hereafter, not only in the Perth Test but also for the rest of the summer.
“Anil and I have just had a very productive meeting discussing a number of issues. We are really happy with the outcome,” Ponting said.
“Both teams, more importantly, both captains have walked away really happy and we have decided here on this series will be played in great spirit as I think the first Test certainly was,” he said.
Kumble, on his part, was more than happy to walk down the peace lane.
“It’s very important cricket is played in the right spirit, it’s time to move on,” said the Indian captain.
Madugalle too was delighted at the spirit shown by the two captains. ” This was just one of those incidents. We are keen to have a fantastic series. It went well, both captains know they need to move forward,” he said.
Madugalle was flown from Sri Lanka to smoothen out relationship between the two teams which broke down after Andrew Symonds laid a charge of racist comment on Harbhajan who, after a hearing, was banned for three Tests by match referee Mike Procter.
Ponting said Australia took the spirit of cricket very seriously and were determined to ensure they were not only remembered as a good team but one that was respected throughout the cricket world.
At the receiving end of a barrage of criticism for their unsporting conduct in the Sydney Test, Ponting admitted there were room for improvement.
“No one is beyond criticism or bigger than the game. Life’s all about learning little things day by day, and it’s no different playing in a successful cricket team.” He said.
Under the ICC laws, Harbhajan, however, does not stand any chance of getting the racism charges against him dropped, even if Australia wanted so.
According to a source in the ICC, once the Appeals Commissioner is appointed, the process would complete its full course, even if the complainant wants to drop the charges.
“In Harbhajan’s case, the charges were brought by both the on-field umpires, after which ICC has already appointed John Hansen as the Appeals Commissioner. The process would go the full distance in this case”, the source said.
Hogg was charged under Level 3 of the ICC Code of Conduct following allegations that he verbally abused Kumble and Mahendra Singh Dhoni in the Sydney Test.