BCCI Arm Twisted ICC in Bhajji's Case

http://in.indiatimes.com/vote.cms

It is wrong to suggest that BCCI had any role to play in the decision of Appeals Commissioner Justice John Hansen. Such insinuations not only cast aspersions on a respected High Court judge of New Zealand, they also support Australian media's charge against the Indians and cast a cloud over Bhajji's innocence.

BCCI just followed the ruling of the ICC. The ICC had appointed Appeals Commissioner Justice John Hansen who is a respected High Court judge in New Zealand. Judge's decision was based on the fact that there was no video or audio recording of the offensive words supposed to have been uttered by Harbhajan. Mike Procter's finding that Sachin Tendulkar could not have heard Harbhajan was also disapproved.

The Australian media called it a 'Cricket's day of Shame' and reported that Cricket Australia caved in to India's muscle flexing as it was anxious to save the tri-series. Judge Hansen had this to say in response to Australian media’s tirade against him,"I have not felt under any pressure because of such media reports and I would never be influenced or succumb to such pressure, real or imagined. Symonds had aggressively and unnecessarily instigated the verbal clash with Harbhajan. It is incorrect to suggest that there was some sort of an agreement reached between Australian and Indian cricket authorities that I simply rubber-stamped.”

Australians' ire with the decision is understandable and only goes to confirm that they want everything their way by any means and at all costs. No wonder the Australians find Hansen's decision a 'cricket's day of shame'.