Watson Fined! Gambhir Banned!

The series between India and Australia turned ugly not only due to players this time but also due to poor judgment by Match Referee Chris Broad.

After gliding the ball from Watson to fine leg, Gambhir started running. On the way, Watson said something (away from the microphone) and raised his right hand. While coming back for the 2nd run, Gambhir opened up his elbow and dashed Watson (made physical contact).

After the umpires reported the incident to the match referee, Watson was fined 10% of his match for his provocation and Gambhir was banned for one test match.

Though Gambhir pleaded guilty, the cricketing world including me feel that it is unfair as Watson was let off.

Can anyone provoke something and get less punishment? This is a cheap tactic by Australian cricketers and Ponting is the leader for that.

WHAT IS THE NEED FOR THE FIELDING TEAM TO TALK TO THE BATSMEN? Australians played cheap tactic by sleding away from microphone and provoking the other team members to react and complain to match referee.

This is how they can win the matches or by cheating on the field by claiming catches that were not taken. The call it AGGRESSIVENESS! GREAT JOKE!

Referee Broad said that as per ICC rules, no physical contact should be made against the opposite team players. Though this could have resulted in two test match ban, based on umpires input that Watson provoked it, the ban was imposed for one test match.

Watson cannot appeal, but Gambhir can because it is a level 2 offense and he has 24 hours to do so.

Gambhir was alredy involved in a similar incident with Afridi on November 14, 2007. Both were let off with 50% fine on match fee by referee Roshan Mahanama.

Spat between Lee and Ponting Reported!

There was a difference of opinion between Lee and captain Ricky Ponting. The issue was that the Aussie speed star and main attacking bowler Brett Lee was not happy with the bowling change done by captain. He felt he should have bowled before lunch instead of rookies Watson, White, Siddle. He showed dissent on the field and was not happy.

The issue was blown out in the Australian media and reported as a big issue. They also said that the world champions are cracking under pressure and these things are coming out.

It is natural for showing dissent and seeing difference of opinion when things are not going good for you. This is another example, which is not expected from the Australian team. They are the world champions and cracking under pressure really puts them behind.

Zaheer Khan Fined!

Zaheer Khan was fined 80% of his match fee for violating the code of conducts laid out by ICC. The rule prohibits misbehaving with the opponent during the game. Zaheer was found of guilty unsporting conduct during India's dominant victory.

"Clearly, this sort of behaviour is not acceptable at any level of cricket - it showed a lack of respect for the player who had been dismissed," Broad said. "Respect for the opposition was something that we talked about in the pre-series meeting I had with both captains and so it was disappointing that Zaheer behaved in this way."

Broad considered Zaheer's good disciplinary record in delivering the fine. "He also pleaded guilty at the first opportunity and was very apologetic while also promising not to repeat the offence," Broad said.

"The match referee decides that," Dhoni said. "If there is some aggressive cricket in the field going on, I prefer that. The guys are not really crossing the boundary, so it is okay."

Ponting said: "They did get involved a couple of times in this game." We all know the referee is involved in the Zaheer Khan incident from Monday."

Zaheer Khan circled the batsman Hayden when he was dismissed LBW by Harbhajan. He also shouted against Hayden. This provoked Hayden to complain to the leg umpire who took the matter to the match referee.

ICC Afraid of Legal Action!

The legal committee of ICC has told them that ICL has the edge in case if ICC was sued by ICL. With the meeting between BCCI and ICL failed, ICL has requested ICC to review the situation during their meeting.

Excerpts from cricinfo website:

Ijaz Butt, the PCB's new chairman made serious revelations about the discussions happened in the ICC meeting. He said, ICC did discuss about the ICL and the ICC lawyers warned ICC that ICL has a very strong case and if they sue, ICC will be in trouble.

The failure prompted Kapil Dev, the ICL chairman, to warn that legal action is very likely if the ICC now doesn't respond to the league's bid for official recognition at its next board meeting. The ICL has issued a letter to the ICC to convene a board meeting after the talks with the BCCI failed.

"I think we are on very good ground as far as a legal case goes," Kapil said. "Eventually we will do that [take legal action]. We are not the ones who are enforcing bans on players or umpires."

Meanwhile ICC has refused to comment on Butt's statement. The ICC considered ICL application at the board meeting last week. BCCI requested meet ICL officials and said it will report back in writing as soon as possible. Until then, no further comment."

ICL has to wait until BCCI respond. I think ICL should give a time frame and if they don't get a response by that time, they should file a legal case against both BCCI and ICC. They should also ask for damges from BCCI.

If they get verdict in favor of ICL, every young player in ICL should sue BCCI for spoiling their career. I am totally annoyed and irritated with BCCI's behavior though I was happy with few of their decisions supporting the players and country during crucial times, I do not like this one stubborness they carry with them.

ICL Was Asked to Shut Down: Kapil Dev

After the meeting between BCCI and ICL failed, the ICL committee is thinking about the next course of action. They have sent a letter to ICC asking them to review the situation again during their board meeting as the meeting with BCCI did not go well.

Kapil came out open and said that "BCCI has asked ICL to shut down its Twenty-Twenty League" for starting the discussion. Yes, they asked us close the Indian Cricket League first. Otherwise, they are not ready to start the discussion.

Kapil said, this is not the right approach as he expected possible solutions to be worked out during the meeting. But BCCI wanted the shut down of ICL, which is not fair.

Kapil said, other options does include legal action are considered.

I also feel that BCCI is being unfair to ICL. They are the one who started this T20 cricket which forced BCCI to start competitive IPL. Trying to knock them out is not a solution, because it would defenitly impact lot of young players who can shine for India in the future.

BCCI, please be relaxes and allow the competition. Else, you trying to monopoly the game will ruin you one day! Life is a cycle and you better be expecting a recession in you soon.

BCCI and ICL Talk Fail!

The push by the ICC to BCCI to have a talk with ICL happened today, but did not producce any result. The official spokes person said that the talks fail and no further meetings were scheduled.

The ICL team were frustrated saying that, "BCCI did not come with the mind to talk. We thought they would discuss a solution to lift the ban on players, sharing venues, etc. but they had an unreasonable expectations."

The meeting lasted for just 15-20 minutes and BCCI came up with offers that were simply not acceptable, said, ICL Officials.

The ICL officials are left with no options except to take the legal route using Rule 32 of the ICC Operating Manaul which deals with authorized official cricket like Hong Kong Sixes, Stanford 20/20.

Let us hope Cricket LIVES!

Lee Hits at Zaheer for his Comments!

Lee hit back strongly on Zaheer for his comments after the first test in Bangalore. Zaheer's Comments. The first test ended in a draw and Zaheer was declared man of the match. Lee said:

"He is entitled to his opinion. Look at the way we bowled on the last day and only one team was playing to win the test. Chasing 299 in 83 overs, we played to win, but they didn't look to win.

"There's a lot of things they can say, that they had a mental win, but we were very happy with the way we played.

"The pitch had nothing for us to take 20 wickets. The wicket was not capable of getting the ball above the shoulder, so the scare tactic, intimidation was not playing a part in the dead wicket."

He doesn't want to give big statement to the press, but said, "There are three more games. I was diappointed that the Bangalore Test did not produce a result."