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ICC Match Referee Mike Procter has slapped Harbhajan Singh with a 3-Test ban for racially abusing Andrew Symonds during the third day's play of the Sydney Test. This verdict from the Match Referee has raised the tempers of the Indian team and the BCCI to a new level after all the disappointing umpiring decisions that had robbed them of a possible victory. What has upset the Indians big time about Mike Procter's decision is that the ban was given despite the absence of any concrete evidence against Harbhajan.

The Indian Team Management has also filed a complaint to the Match Referee about Bradley Hogg using the derogatory term 'Bastard' against Anil Kumble during the last day's play. The Referee has accepted India's complaint but the hearing on this case is likely to take place only in Perth before the third test.

The BCCI and the Indian Team Management has been backing Harbhajan Singh in this case. An appeal is going to be made by Harbhajan and the BCCI within 24 hours. The hearing after the Sydney Test Match lasted a good eight hours. The Match Referee is believed to have found Harbhajan guilty only because of taking the testimonials of Matthew Hayden and Michael Clarke. Both these players according to Procter were close enough to Symonds and Harbhajan to actually hear what was being said.

Chetan Chauhan, India's Cricket Manager, who held a press conference after the verdict came out stated that the Indian side of the story was completely ignored by the Match Referee. News is emerging that Symonds has accused Harbhajan for using the racist slur 'monkey'. What's been debated loudly is that if Procter can acknowledge what Hayden and Clarke have been testifying then why not Tendulkar, who was Harbhajan's partner in the middle.

As far as the series stands, this is turning out to be one of the most controversial ones ever to happen in the recent times. Anil Kumble after the match went onto say in the press conference that the Australians didn't play in the right spirit which no doubt will anger everyone in Australia. Ricky Ponting too was heated up when he was asked by an Indian journalist about one of the bat pad appeals he had made when he grassed the ball on the ground. There were initial talks about the tour getting abandoned by the Indians but that has been ruled out as time went by.

Steve Bucknor sacked for Perth Test

Veteran Umpire Steve Bucknor, who has been the spoilsport for the tourists has been withdrawn by the ICC for standing in the Perth Test. The third Test match is 10 days away which makes it possible for the ICC to make alternate arrangements. The Indian Team Management and the BCCI has strongly asked for the removal of the 'incompetent umpires' for the remainder of the series.

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