Published by Nanda on 8th January 2008
In what is an about turn by the ICC, controversial umpire and the main man who cost India the Sydney test, Steve Bucknor has been removed from the third match to be played in Perth. He has been replaced by Umpire Billy Bowden. The ICC had refused to remove Bucknor in earlier news reports, however, it seems that they have had a reality check in the last few hours.
ICC Chief Executive, Mr Malcolm Speed had the following statement to make:
“It is accepted that Steve, and his on-field colleague Mark Benson, did not have good games by their very high standards and we feel that given the added pressure and attention Steve’s presence would have at the third Test, it is better for the match and for Steve himself if he does not take part.”
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Thread Tags:
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billy bowden,
brad hogg,
ca,
captain,
controversy,
cricket australia,
harbhajan singh,
ICC,
mark benson,
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michael clarke,
michael hussey,
mike procter,
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ranjan madugalle,
ricky ponting,
sledging,
steve bucknor
What a start and what a finish to the day’s play. Unbelievable scenes at the SCG. Australia, at one point 134/6, recovered to post a massive 376/7 at the end of the first day. Brad Hogg and Andrew Symonds orchestrated a sensational and mind-blowing recovery to see the home team on top despite losing the top and middle order during the second session. For India, they would be ruing a couple of decisions not going their way, but the brutality of the counter-attack from Symonds and Hogg would have left them shell-shocked.
Ponting won the first toss of 2008. As expected he decided to bat first hoping to get a big first innings total. What happened was completely against the run of play. India made just the one change to the playing XI. Ishant Sharma replaced an injured Zaheer Khan. The team could not find a spot for Virender Sehwag or Irfan Pathan - this could very well come back to haunt them.
RP Singh opened the bowling with Ishant Sharma and the two opening batsmen were quickly sitting back in the pavilion. Ricky Ponting then survived a close call, he was too damn lucky as snicko showed a clear edge. Ponting then countered some stiff bowling from RP and Ishant to get to another test fifty. Hussey gave him good support and the Aussies reached 95/2 at lunch. Ponting reached his 50 in the second session however got out to an unlucky call. Bhajji being his nemesis yet again. What then followed was a golden period for the visitors as they picked up 3 more wickets in quick succession leaving Australia rattled at 134/6.
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Thread Tags:
2nd test,
3 mobile test series,
andrew symonds,
brad hogg,
brett lee,
day 1,
day 2,
harbhajan singh,
highlights,
india vs australia,
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zaheer khan
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