The International Cricket Council caves in again to Subcontinent blackmail

ICC cricket match referee Mike Procter found Indian spinner Harbhajan Singh guilty of a racial slur against Australian cricketer Andrews Symonds. On the evidence it was proven that Harbhajan Singh called Symonds a 'monkey' during the Sydney test. Compelling evidence from 'stump cam' was presented to support the charge.

Instead of the umpire's decision being accepted (that's what the umpire is for) all hell broke loose in the Indian camp in Australia and throughout India itself. Riots spilled onto the dusty streets of Indian towns where effigies of Australian cricketers were mocked and burned. Prominent Indian figures raged and fulminated on national television against injustice and Australian liars. How dare those Australians impugn the honour and dignity of India and Indians! Everyone knows what Australians are like, don't they?

The Indian team threatened to abandon the rest of the tour and leave Australia if the judgment was not overturned. Signs of an ICC cave-in appeared immediately. So that the remaining two test matches could be played the ICC agreed to review the decision.

During this time we had Australian cricket writers attacking the Australian team for bad sportsmanship. The ABC's commentator and Fairfax journalist Peter Roebuck was especially fulsome in his expressions of sanctimony and cultural self-loathing. As in all these cases, the scribblings of the Australian media went across the world to be used as evidence against Australians by people who would never own up to wrongdoing.

At the same time, the Indian team forced the dismissal of West Indian umpire Steve Bucknor because his decisions did not suit them. If any umpire in the international cricket world has maintained a high level of integrity and professionalism it has been Steve Bucknor. It follows on Pakistani cricket getting rid of Australian umpire Daryl Hair from international cricket because he reported them for ball tampering during a test match against English. Of course, it could not possibly be the case that the Pakistanis were guilty, could it?

As expected, the promised review overturned the match umpire's judgment. Indian captain Kumble, who had condemned the Australians earlier for bad sportsmanship, said he was happy with the decision. It was good for cricket. Really? It may be good for what is called cricket in India. But it is a spear through the heart of international cricket.

Pakistani and Indian cricketers can obviously do no wrong. They can never be guilty of racism. Black-on-white discrimination is not really discrimination whatever the degree of nastiness. Only white people can commit racist acts and say racist things. The television footage of the Indian crowds chanting racist insults against the Australian team last year is a phantasm.

This is the state of affairs. It is also the state of affairs that India and Pakistani cricket can and do wield their money power with impunity when it suits them. The present case is a demonstration.

It was reported that the Indian cricket officials had a chartered jet on readiness while they awaited the decision of the review. If Proctor's judgment was upheld the team and officials were to embark the next day to return to India. That's sticking it to the Australians.

As far as I am concerned it would have been good riddance. I was a kid when Australian greats Richie Benaud, Alan Davidson, Norm O'Neill and many others were at the height of their powers. Captain courageous Richie Benaud was every boy's hero. The memory of Don Bradman, Keith Miller, Neil Harvey, and the Invincibles was still fresh in our memory. I would be happy to return to the days when Australia battled England, New Zealand, South Africa and the West Indies. India and Pakistan are welcome to play their brand of cricket amid the betting and match fixing. The record is there for everyone to see. If that sounds racist, then I reply that it was the Subcontinent who created the new rules and conditions.

Cricket Australia should meet all present contracts and then cut relations with the Subcontinent. It should have the backbone to stand up and say we will not play to double standards whatever the monetary cost.

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