The judge who downgraded Harbhajan Singh’s three-Test racial ban to a fine for ‘general abuse’ has criticised Andrew Symonds for abusing the Indian off-spinner, after Harbhajan affectionately patted Brett Lee during the Sydney Test.
ICC appeals commissioner Justice John Hansen was satisfied with evidence from Harbhajan and Sachin Tendulkar, which claimed Singh used the term ‘ma ki’, not ‘monkey’. Hansen also appeared unconvinced at Symonds’ recall of events, with the Australian all-rounder admitting he didn’t hear everything Harbhajan said in the heated exchange.
“What (Symonds) told Mr Proctor was that he heard things being said that he did not hear or comprehend, which he referred to as ‘something, something, something’, but then he heard the words ‘big monkey’,” Hansen said.
Tendulkar’s evidence proved crucial, with Test cricket’s leading century maker tendering that Harbhajan used a term from his native language.
“Contrary to reports that Mr. Tendulkar heard nothing, he told me he heard the heated exchange, and wanted to calm Mr. Singh down,” Hansen said. “His evidence was that there was swearing between the two. It was initiated by Mr. Symonds. He did not hear the word ‘monkey’ or ‘big monkey’, but he did say he heard Mr. Singh use a term in his native tongue ‘ma ki’.”
The SCG incident was sparked when Harbhajan made physical contact with Lee. Harbhajan claims his intention was purely complimentary. Symonds didn’t appear to dispute that claim, however his belief that opponents should not be conciliatory on the field drew a stinging rebuke from the Justice Hansen.
Symonds told the court: ‘My objection is that a test match is no place to be friendly with an opposition player. That is my objection’
“If that is Mr. Symonds view,” Hansen said. “I hope it is not a view shared by international cricketers.”
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Symonds told the court: ‘My objection is that a test match is no place to be friendly with an opposition player. That is my objection’
Regardless of what else did or did not happen that is just sad. Makes you lose interest in the game.
Wow…. I just hope Symonds does not prove to be a popular role model for kids around the world following cricket. His statement that Test match is not a place to be friendly with opposition player, is nothing but detrimental and shows the mindset of a talented but a narrow minded individual. His sportsmanship stands questioned.