Even though Ponting later tried to downplay the incident, he did wonder whether there was something about Sydney which made the two sides had go at each other.
Manager writes to match referee citing specific instances
HOBART: There seems to be no let-up in the off-field drama surrounding Indian summer Down Under with the team writing to the match referee against the Australians’ provocative behaviour.
And once again Andrew Symonds is at the centre of controversy, this time involved in a showdown with paceman Ishant Sharma.
Ishant was dragged to the match-referee’s chamber following a complaint from the on-field umpires and the Indian bowler was reprimanded and docked 15 per cent of his match fee. Ishant was found guilty of Level 1 of the ICC code of conduct for giving a send-off to the Australian batsman after he dismissed him with a slow delivery during India-Australia one-dayer at the SCG last night.
After the decision of match referee Jeff Crowe, who held a hearing in Sydney on Monday morning, the Indian camp lodged a formal complaint against the behaviour of the Australian players.
In the letter, India manager Bimal Soni highlighted the provocative behaviour of Aussie players during the series. He even took the name of Matthew Hayden and stated that the Australian had tried to provoke the Indian players, particularly Harbhajan Singh. Soni contended that the Australian players’ behaviour had been objectionable throughout the series.
“We’ve told our boys to stick to the ICC code of conduct and not do anything to breach the laws but the Aussie players have been sledging our players.”
Soni has asked the match referee to talk to Cricket Australia, Australian captain and the team management to ensure peaceful conduct of the series.
Crowe, in his verdict, conceded that Ishant was provoked by Symonds. Sharma, however, pleaded guilty of pointing Symonds towards the pavilion after bowling him in the 47th over. Crowe handed him the minimum punishment, docking 15 per cent of his match fee with a reprimand.
Complaint against Ishant was lodged by on-field umpires Daryl Harper and Tony Hill and third umpire Bruce Oxenford. The penalty for a Level 1 offence is a fine of up to 50 per cent of the player’s match fee.
But it was not the only ICC stricture to the Indian dressing room during the match. Indian skipper Mahendra Singh Dhoni was asked to change his gloves during the Sunday’s match after he caught Adam Gilchrist. The gloves were found not falling under the ICC specifications.
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