Harbhajan appeal may come up next week

NEW DELHI: Harbhajan Singh's appeal against the three-Test ban for alleged racist comments against Andrew Symonds will be heard anytime between the third and fourth Test.
    
ICC Chief Executive Malcolm Speed said that a senior judge from another country will preside over the hearing.
    
"The appeal may be heard anytime between third and fourth Test. There are many issues involved and that will take some time so it is unlikely that it will happen next week," Speed said.
   
"The players need to be at one place for this. More players could be called as witnesses. More lawyers would be involved so there are many issues. We will sort out these things and the process will start tomorrow" Speed of a TV news channel.
    
"We will appoint an Appeals' Commissioner. He will be a senior judge from another country," Speed said.
    
The third Test starts in Perth from January 16 and the fourth is in Adelaide from January 24.
    
Asked if ICC has given in to the demands of BCCI by removing Bucknor, Speed said "it (the decision) was taken in the best interest of the game."
    
"It was quite a unique situation. A Test match finishing in the last eight minutes after five days. There were allegations of racism, Code of Conduct hearings, suspension, umpiring issues. I hope it was a one-off incident."
    
"There was a good deal of unrest about the umpiring in Sydney. We sought to take a reasonable position to fix one issue. It was in the best interest of the game," he said.
     
"Steve has an illustrious career, a high profile career and he should finish the career with a high note. Steve will continue to umpire," he said.