A New Era

Welcome to the start of Twelfth Man, James Hendry's blog on the world of cricket. We start with a pressing issue; the 'racism' row between Australia and India. Sparked off way before the current incident surrounding Harbhajan Singh.

It all started in October with the one-day series between the two nations. Australia went on to win 4-2 in a hottely contested series. However, the series was mared by racist slur from some sections of the Indian crowd towards Australia's Andrew Symonds (a fantastic cricketer, if you don't mind me saying!).

Nothing seemed to happen bar mild warnings from Cricket Australia and the BCCI, but the situation has escalated earlier this week, when Harbhajan was deemed to have called Symonds a "monkey". The spinner who has bowled very well in the opening two tests (removing Ponting three times) was hit with a ban, which has caused India to suspend the tour in protest. There has also been angry reactions to umpiring decisions by fans.

But why have they suspended the tour? Is it a matter of principal? If the Umpires and match referee Mike Proctor have found Harbhajan guilty, they should take it, and get on with the series. They're not going to change their minds now the Indians have suspended the tour. It just seems a bit unintellegent and pety. It's throwing the game into disripute and I for one hope India reverse their decision and resume this tour.

Secondly, why the over the top reaction to bad umpiring decisions?! Every team gets rough decisions, and yes they can affect the result of a match, but these things have a way of evening themselves out. Dravid was given out wrongly, a bad decision. But these umpires have a split second to decide, they don't have the technology. Harbhajan himself got a wicket in his favour from a poor umpiring decision by Mark Benson.

I wouldn't bet against more poor umpiring decision in the third test at Perth (if the tour resumes!!). Maybe this time the decisions will weigh in India's favour, and they can create an exciting fourth and final test.