At last the nightmare of bad umpiring ended. The BCCI headed by Sharad Pawar strongly protested and requested the ICC for reviewing the farcical umpiring and the pathetic display of umpiring inefficiency during the Sydney Cricket Test in Australia.
ICC took stock of the situation and took prompt action.On the one hand it permitted the Indian bowler Harbajan Singh to play in the Third Cricket Test at Perth, pending disposal of the appeal preferred by the BCCI on the ban slapped on him by the match referee,responding to the complaint preferred by the Australian captain Ricky Ponting, that Harbajan Singh had used racial abuses against the Australain player Andrew Symonds.
On the other hand,ICC had removed Steve Bucknor from officiating in the third test at Perth and he was replaced by the umpire from New Zealand Billy Bowden.ICC also charged Rodney Hogg for using filthy words against Anil Kumble and Dhoni during the fifth days play at SCG.
The Australian press has supported the Indian players and it has even called for the removal of Ponting from the captaincy which had a support of 60 % viewers.Peter Roebuck in particular has criticised Australia vehemently for its ‘rabid nationalism’ and even wondered that still India did not pack off and went to India cancelling the tour.
As reported by the higher official from the BCCI,the India tour of Australia is continuing for the timebeing and it will be reviewed and updated constantly.