10 Biggest Controversies in Cricket History

10. The Monkey Incident €“ Australia vs. India, 2007-08

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BnV1L3kBIR0 This is one of many examples on this list of a South African getting it wrong €“ not Tony Greig on this occasion, but county cricket superstar-turned-match referee Mike Proctor. The second test between Australia and India at the Melbourne Cricket Ground in January 2008 was a heated battle, marred by allegations of poor sportsmanship and poor umpiring. But the proverbial really hit the fan during the third day, when Indian off-spinner Harbhajan Singh was batting with Sachin Tendulkar. After getting a lucky edge against fast bowler Brett Lee that went for four, Harbhajan tapped Lee on the backside with his bat and muttered: €œHard luck.€ Aussie all-rounder Andrew Symonds ran in to give Harbhajan a piece of his mind, and Harbhajan allegedly retorted by calling Symonds a monkey. This was not the first time that Symonds, the only non-white player in the Aussie side, had been subjected to racial abuse. In the ODI series in India the previous year, he was booed and jeered with taunts of €œSymonds is a monkey€ as he walked out to bat in Mumbai, and fell first ball. On this occasion neither of the two umpires heard the remarks, and it was Aussie captain Ricky Ponting who reported Harbhajan to the match referee. Indian captain Anil Kumble attempted to diffuse the situation, but to no avail. Proctor conferred a three-match ban on Harbhajan, which led to allegations of Proctor being biased in favour of the Australians and the tour being suspended as relations between the camps broke down. The incident sparked a widespread discussion about the role of sledging or verbal intimidation on the field, with Pakistan legend Wasim Akram accusing the Australians of hypocrisy. These debates continued even after the ICC overturned Proctor€™s decision, citing lack of evidence. What Happened Next: Harbhajan played in the third and final test, on the grounds that there was not enough time to lodge an appeal between matches. Proctor was criticised by Indian legend Sunil Gavaskar and his decision to ban Harbhajan was overturned by the ICC. Australia won the series 2-1.
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Freelance copywriter, film buff, community radio presenter. Former host of The Movie Hour podcast (http://www.lionheartradio.com/ and click 'Interviews'), currently presenting on Phonic FM in Exeter (http://www.phonic.fm/). Other loves include theatre, music and test cricket.