India today dropped the charges against Australian Spinner Brad Hogg for alleged use of abusive language.
Hogg was charged under level 3 of the International Cricket Council’s code of conduct as he was alleged to have verbally abused Anil Kumble and Mahendra Singh. This refers to players or team officials using language or gestures that offend the other person on the basis of his race, religion, gender, color or natural or ethnic origin.
The Indian team management decided to withdraw the charges against Hogg at the hearing with Mach Referee Mike Procter and this was done after a follow-up meeting the Indian Captain Anil Kumble had with his counterpart, Ricky pointing. Anil Kumble had remarked that it was something that happened in the heat of the moment and cricket is larger than the individual and it is time to move on.
It is not clear whether this move was aimed at getting a reciprocatary gesture from Australian cricket management to get a reprieve for Harbhajan Singh who has been charged with a similar allegation. In fact, he was banned for three tests which had created a hue and cry and it was put on hold.
Irrespective of this, the move in the words of Match Referee Procter was a magnificent one and Hogg also took the opportunity to thank the Indians for letting him off.