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Three former captains slam Ponting on racial issue

Three former captains, India's Sunil Gavaskar, England's Tony Greig of England and Australia's Mark Taylor on Saturday accused tough-talking Australians of hypocrisy.

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SYDNEY: Three former captains, India's Sunil Gavaskar, England's Tony Greig of England and Australia's Mark Taylor on Saturday accused tough-talking Australians of hypocrisy after "dobbing in" Harbhajan Singh for alleged racial abuse, the Australian media reported.

The fiery Harbhajan was reported by umpires Mark Benson and Steve Bucknor at the behest of Australian captain Ricky Ponting after the Indian was involved in a verbal spat with Andrew Symonds at the Sydney Cricket Ground (SCG) on Friday.

The Queenslander had questioned why Harbhajan, in his match-turning innings, had touched fast bowler Brett Lee on the bottom when the fireworks erupted.

While there have been claims Harbhajan had called Symonds a "monkey", Indian players and officials dismissed such suggestions.

"I understand that Symonds may have told him to f--- off and he may have said the same," an unnamed Indian player was quoted as saying by Herald Sun. "It was nothing out of the ordinary."

Indian team manager Chetan Chauhan was angered by Ponting's decision to urge the umpires to report Harbhajan.

"If he did say anything at all, it would have been in the heat of the moment, in retaliation for continuous aggravation and extreme provocation," Chauhan said.

"It is ridiculous to take matters to this level when they, themselves, say pretty much as they please."

Symonds, of Caribbean descent, had endured monkey chants from fans during the one-day series in India, and former Test batsman Michael Slater claimed Harbhajan had reprised this taunt.

Harbhajan's hopes of being cleared were boosted when Match Referee Mike Procter said Benson and Bucknor had not heard what was said.

This means the charge, to be heard after play tonight, could be thrown out as neither team will have corroborating witnesses.

Ponting's decision to cite Harbhajan riled Gavaskar and Greig, and had even former captain Mark Taylor fearing the Tasmanian had opened a 'Pandora's box'.

"If the umpires haven't heard it, what has happened to the famous Australian saying: 'What happens on the field, stays on the field -- let's have a beer at the end of the day's play'?" Gavaskar said.

"Is it only when the Australians 'give' it to somebody - what (happens) on the field, stays on the field?

"When they get it, has it got to be reported? It doesn't stay on the field."

Taylor agreed and said Australia's behaviour would be scrutinised more than ever.

"I think Ricky is opening up Pandora's box in terms of this," he said.

"Australians make the odd chirp, so if this goes any further I am sure there will be times Ricky will be on the other side of the ledger. It will open up Pandora's box in that regard," Taylor said.

Said Greig, "The Indians are fighting back a bit. The Aussies have to handle this stuff as well.

"There is a maturity in handling this stuff and not necessarily going to the schoolteacher and saying, 'hey, I am dobbing you in'."

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