Former England captain and Channel Nine commentator Tony Greig has demanded to know what Andrew Symonds said to Harbhajan Singh in the moments before the Indian off-spinner allegedly racially abused the Australian all-rounder in the second test at the SCG.
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“We haven’t heard anything at all on exactly what was said by Symonds to Harbhajan to set him off,” Greig told Channel Nine.
“The quote from Symonds was something like ‘I had a bit of a crack at Harbhajan’. Well, we know on sporting fields in Australia, a ‘crack’ can be quite serious.”
Greig was publicly berated by Ricky Ponting and Adam Gilchrist in the moments after Australia’s controversial sixteenth straight test win, with the pair pointing out criticism from Greig towards the Australians regarding the Harbhajan incident, as well Ponting’s tactics on the final day.
In a stunning revelation, Greig revealed the contents of a text message from Sachin Tendulkar – batting with Harbhajan at the time of the alleged incident – to BCCI president Sharad Pawar, calling on the Indian board to stick to its guns.
“They’re not that close, the board and the Indian players, but (Sachin) said ‘Harbhajan is innocent and I can assure you on this. In this hour of crisis, the board should stand by him. I suggest we should only play in Perth if the ban is lifted’.
“That (message) would have really shored up Sharad Pawar to take on the Australians on this issue.”
The Indian tour of Australia remains in limbo, with the BCCI yet to officially lodge an appeal against Harbhajan’s three test ban.
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What Symonds said is irrelevant. Unless Tony Greig is suggesting that Andrew said something racist first - which is so seriously unlikely as to be laughable. If not, then the issue is purely about what Harbhajan said to Roy - end of story.
In any case, I think Tony Greig should be keeping well away from this controversy given his own very public and recent problems with racist attitudes towards black people and chinese women. He’s hardly in a position to comment.
And why exactly is it seriously unlikely as to be laughable that Symonds cannot have called Harbajan something which would be defined as racist?
Why is what Symonds’s said irrelevant? And how do you know it is so seriously unlikely? Don’t just talk stupid you moron! Both sides should be investigated.
People like you cause these problems.
Cricket should be freed from cheating.
Oh I just love the Aussies. The great majority, by expressing their indignation so emphatically, have absolved the sins of their team. Now let us look forward to some engaging, fiercely but fairly contested matches, played with grace and respect for the players of the other side.
Tony Greig should be sent back to South Africa… We don’t want or need him here anyway. Especially as he is the biggest racist on the planet!
HI,
I couldn’t help noticing this Harbhajan issue that you are keep posting it on front page and keep crying about that unfair has done to australia, but nobody is talking about that Symonds started it when you guys do wrong stuff it is okey but when you get reply from some other player and specially from Asian player it becomes wrong at the same time.
India is not running the world cricket it is just australia is no more super power in Cricket.
I dont think Harbhajan used any racial work like “monkey” he might have used word which is same in hindi and Urdu “Maan ki” I am really happy with the outcome and this time australia has learned a lesson so be careful next time.
I find Tony graig neutral in this discussion obviously this is a gantlemen game and australia is lacking this factor from the begining.
In short what ever has done is done for the goodwill of cricket and now i believe the dignity has been restored.
I think we guys need to dig deep on this one. We take a crack at people, and get livid if they dish it out to us. Our cricket team is an embarrassment to us.
Reemeber the McGrath incident? If you can’t take it, don’t dish it out!
I think the way this has been handled is a complete joke! Singh should have been sent home back to his own country!
The indians run the ICC, Australia is the greatest team and India have the most money! Thats the only reason India are considered a power in the game, it’s not because they are at or near the same level of the Aussies!