6 players cautioned for breaching ICC code

By G. Viswanath

PORT ELIZABETH, NOV. 19. The Indian cricket team was put on caution by the match referee, Mr. Mike Denness, who imposed a 75- per cent fine of their match fees on six players for breaching the International Cricket Council (ICC) code for players in the second Test against South Africa.

The six players are Sachin Tendulkar, Sourav Ganguly, Shiv Sundar Das, Deep Dasgupta, Harbhajan Singh and Virendra Sehwag. No fine has been imposed on vice-captain Rahul Dravid.

Sehwag is believed to have got the worst. It is learnt that he has been banned for one Test, which means he cannot play the third Test at the Centurion Park beginning on November 23. Sources also said Mr. Denness has slapped suspended sentences on the five players other than Sehwag. It means that any further violation will lead the particular player being banned to play international matches.

Ganguly has been included in the across-the-board fine because as captain it was his responsibility to maintain the spirit of the game.

Tendulkar was punished for trying to change the condition of the ball. The others were fined for excessive appealing. Mr. Denness is likely to issue a written statement on Tuesday.

The Indian team manager, Dr. M.K. Bhargava, fearing further punishment (officials are also included in the ICC code) refused to confirm the penalties imposed by Mr. Denness, who met the players after the close of play on Monday.

The Indian team management must be furious at the turn of events and they are likely to take up this matter with the BCCI.

The suspended sentence for Ganguly is one Test and two one day internationals and for the rest other than Sehwag it is for one Test.

PTI reports:

Sehwag was found guilty of excessive appealing when South African captain Shaun Pollock played forward to spinner Anil Kumble during the play yesterday. Sehwag had caught the ball which apparently came off Pollock's boots and had kept appealing for a catch.

Mr. Denness ignored Pollock's own conduct yesterday when he made a prolonged and theatrical appeal against the top-scorer in India's first innings V.V.S Laxman. Pollock had hit Laxman's pads and made a vociferous appeal to the umpire who took a long time to raise his finger.

The reported decision of the referee came at the end of a flip- flop earlier in the day. He had apparently told a television commentator that no action was warranted against Tendulkar and this was announced on television. Subsequently he said he would consult the ICC in London and make a formal statement in the evening.

The suspended sentences against the Indian players are valid till December 31, which means that they would face the punishments if they repeated the offences by that date. Before December 31, India is to play the final test of the current series against South Africa as well as three Test matches against England at home.

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