It seems a classic case of “From the frying pan into the fire”, as umpire Steve Bucknor will not be officiating any further in the India-Australia Test series. But lo and behold, who should step in, but Billy Bowden, who also is quite ready to raise his crooked finger when an Indian is at the crease, and just as unwilling to do so when India is bowling.

Harbhajan has also been allowed to play at Perth, pending his appeal against the 3 test ban. But why ban him in the first place? The ICC should simply revoke it if they have any sense. This whole episode was nothing but a sham !

They’ve also roped in Ranjan Madugalle to “assist” Mike Proctor and facilitate a more cordial atmosphere between the two teams.

There is a lot of bitterness going around, and it is certainly not getting any less, especially with Ponting actually defending his and his team’s behaviour and actions, and believe it or not, actually claiming he was “disappointed” with Kumble’s remarks !! Well, he sure has some guts to be so blinded to his own failings.

This seems to be a problem with most Aussie cricketers, I guess, considering even Steve Waugh defended the Aussie approach, saying this was how they were brought up and this is how they played the game. All this is fine, but the moment they find an opponent turning the heat on them, all hell breaks loose, and their dirty tricks department comes to the fore.

Let’s see how things unfold from here, though I feel calling off the tour would have really jolted the Aussies out of their complacency and hopefully put some sense in their heads !