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Bucknor was replaced with New Zealand's Billy Bowden for the third cricket Test between the two sides in Perth starting January 16.
He will stand alongside Pakistan's Asad Rauf, who had been originally appointed for this game.
The ICC also cleared Harbhajan, who was slapped with a three-match ban for allegedly racially abusing Australian all rounder Andrew Symonds, to play until a decision is made on the BCCI appeal against the ban.
Besides, the ICC appointed Chief Referee Ranjan Madugalle as facilitator for the smooth running of the Perth match.
"It is accepted that Steve, and his on-field colleague Mark Benson, did not have good games by their very high standards and we feel that given the added pressure and attention Steve's presence would have at the third Test, it is better for the match and for Steve himself if he does not take part," ICC Chief Executive Malcolm Speed said.
The fourth and final Test at Adelaide, which starts on January 24, will be umpired by Bowden and Rauf, as per the original appointments.
Madugalle has been brought in to assist in ensuring the match is played in the "best possible spirit".
"The decision was made in the interests of giving the series a fresh start following instances of ill-feeling between the teams and some on-field umpiring errors that have been made in the series so far," the ICC said in a statement.
"It is also designed to create an environment whereby the match can be played without undue attention and added pressure being heaped on the match officials," it added.
Madugalle has been asked to travel to Perth in order to assist the Match Referee and the two captains in re-establishing an atmosphere of goodwill and mutual respect between the two teams.
Mike Procter will continue as match referee for the remainder of the series as planned.
Speed, however, said the ICC's decision to remove Bucknor was not influenced by the BCCI's complain.
"It is important to stress that Steve has not been replaced due to any representations made by any team or individuals. The ICC remains the sole body responsible for the appointment of umpires and no team has the right to object to any appointment.
"The decision by the ICC to replace Steve for this match was made in the best interests of the game and the series," said Speed.
On Madugalle's appointment as facilitator, the ICC CEO said the chief referee has been brought in to prevent any "ill-feeling" between the two sides during the match.
"We are bringing Ranjan in as a facilitator in an effort to prevent any ill-feeling that may have been present at the Sydney Test from rolling over to Perth," he explained.
"Ranjan is our chief referee and a highly respected figure within the game. He will remind the captains and other players of their responsibilities to conduct themselves in line with the Spirit of Cricket," he added.
The ICC confirmed that it has received an official notification from the BCCI of its appeal against the finding that Harbhajan was guilty of making a racist remark to Symonds.
The ICC will appoint a Code of Conduct Commissioner to hear the appeal. The details of when and where the appeal hearing will take place will be released after the Commissioner is named, Speed said.
In the mean time, the release said, as per the Code of Conduct regulations, Harbhajan may continue to play pending verdict of the appeal being given.
"The ICC has a robust process of dealing with Code of Conduct issues and that process will now run its natural course," said Speed.



The view of CNN-IBN that we should not annul 2nd test as it favors India just because few Indian players scored century.This is Promotion of loser mentality. Before anyone could take initiative, we rose to make sure Indians know that playing 3rd match without Bhajii and with imcompetent umpires but BCCI has people of India think they have won over ICC without needing to anull the 2nd test. Carry the loss on their shoulder of 2nd test because few Indian players scored centuries. Why just bucknor is nailed and not benson does convey to world that ICC still protected Bucknor when India had him removed.
not only this match,steve buckner should not stand in any match infuture.He should be removed from elite panel and steps should be taken to safeguard the interests of players.Finaly india has to win the 3rd test and show australia that they worth cheating and not more than that.
Sir Speedy has finally shown his true Aussie colours! India must team up with teams from Asia and Africa and form a separate ICC and let Sir Speedy's ICC die a speedy death.
hi Aussie.. we mean the dog is better than you and your country people... is it clear
oye aussie you are showing your true colours. no matter what, you were criminals, exxpelled from britain and you will stay that way.
It does seem racist India go the Afro Bucknor removed and Ghora Benson is ok for Indians. Afro Bucknor is saved by ICC and will still be paid by ICC masters for his good work.
The whole episodes shows how mean the australian cricketers has become. They want to remove harbajan as he has been taking wickets of their skipper. And there was every chance that we could have atleast levelled the series after drawing the second test ( and this would have halted aussies record of winning 16 matches continuously).The present australian bowling is weak and they cannot affort to face harbajan. Even their batting is not the same. So, 13 players are playing for them.
Poor Bajji!Poor Hanif!Why Aussies target only Indians by their ugly racist perception.Are they shy to target other countries.
You Aussies!Why make big issue of MONKEY?In India "MONKEY" is considerd as decendent of Bhagavan Hanuman.You do not deserve to be called monkey.
You Aussies!Why make big issue of MONKEY?In India "MONKEY" is considerd as decendent of Bhagavan Hanuman.You do not deserve to be called monkey.
by Ds and jack on 08 Jan 2008So for records, Ozzie won the second test, Benson is OK. Bucknor will still be paid by ICC for good work.India should know it's position by now.
NOw, DROP AUSSIE ENDORSEMENTS! Let them feel the financial repercussion of cheating against India! let them realize that it does not pay to sledge india.
It is about time India should consider resigning from the present ICC and start NEW ICC, the countries of the subcontinent and Africa will join while the countries of old Commonwealth will not, this will split the current ICC and weken it financially. Given time the Indian-led NEW ICC will succeed.It is time the world took notice of Indian feeligs.
Whatever happened to Harbhajan Singh, happens with Indians in all Australian companies. Indians are not promoted. Indian cricket team is rallying point for all suppressed Indians in Aussie workplace. Hopefully our spirits have risen with Harbhajan Singh acquital. We will gather together and seek promotions that are due to us in our workplaces.
Mike Proctor's version of racism. Mr Protor says he is aware what racism is and what it means. One begins to wonder which side of racism he is talkng about. By the way if being called a monkey (allegedly)is racist what about being called a bastard by the Australians. If the word Monkey questions one's race what about the word bastard which questions one's legitamacy of birth. is this also not an offensive word?
Auatralia should play "cricket"
GOOD POINTS GAURAV.. FULLY AGREE
I DONT KNOW WHAT BHAJJI TOLD SYMONDS BUT WHY IS IT THAT HE GOT AGITATED BY BEING CALLED A "MONKEY" BUT DOESNT MIND BEING CALLED A "KANGAROO"? IS CALLING AN AUSSIE A KANGAROO NOT A RACIST COMMENT ? BOTH ANIMALS HOPS AND JUMPS AROUND ONE ON THE TREE AND THE OTHER ON THE GROUND AND BOTH CARRY THEIR BABIES CLINGING TO THEIR BELLIES.ShankarAbu Dhabi
Following conditions should be met before this tour should proceed:1) Sydney Test to be declared unofficial and result not to be counted.2) Buckoner and Benson to be suspended from Elite Panel List immediately.3) Ban on Bhajji to be lifted unconditionally and immediately.4) Suitable action to be taken against Ponting and Symonds for falsely implicating an Indian Player and bringing the game to disrepute.Only if the following conditions are met should India proceed with the tour or the team should be just called back. It is a question of national pride and honour which can't be compromised at any cost.
If they REALLY have any INTEGRITY they should accept htere wrong doings and apologise for it. The umpire didn't dream overnight that tmrw i am going to favour aussie. This was planned. For indian team if you don't stand now and allow them to walk o=all over you they will do it again. Satnd for your self respect. The whole nation is with you.
Do not be hood-winked into a concession. If Harbhajan and the Indian team are not completely cleared of this racist slurr immediately it will linger like a bad smell. It is then likely to stick around for a lot longer than the test series. It is imperative therefore that this false and underhand accusation be fully withdrawn and it must quashed completely and speedily. A line must be drawn in the sand. Ideally the ban must be withdrawn or dismissed. If the initial case can be heard in 48 hours then so can an appeal. DO NOT PROCEED WITH THE GAME UNLESS HARBHAJAN IS CLEARED.
ICC has to take action against Ponting and Symonds also for unnecesarily harrasing Harbhajan and other Indian players and giving wrong message to entire world that Indian beleives in racism and Symonds must be penalised for taking advantage of his birth and skin.
This is simply an issue of HONOUR and nothing else. Hence nothing other than complete restitution of the honour of the Indian players is acceptable. Harbhajan, Tendulkar and Kumble are honest, decent players that have played their hearts out for their country. We expect nothing less from them and they have delivered. They have also withstood the nasty underhand tactics of a desperate and fraudulent team. This can all be passed off as the 'game of cricket' the 'ups and downs of life' etc. etc. However, the matter of credibility, honesty and honour are a far bigger issue not only for the individuals involved but the team, their families and their nation. Harbhajan MUST BE EXONERATED FULLY BEFORE EVEN A SINGLE BALL IS PLAYED! Otherwise come home.
Bhajji had said 'tere maa ki' not the 'monkey' to symond so dont take tension mr symond.
Bhajji had said 'tere maa ki' not the 'monkey' to symond so dont take tension mr symond.
India had two requests. The lesser one has been accepted begrudgingly-it would have been, it was the easy one. Do not be WHITEWASHED into believing that they have back-tracked.The important issue is still the racist slur against Harbhajan and the liar tags for Kumble and Tendulkar. If we can live with it, carry on, play the game. What guarantee do we have that after the matches are done, Harbhajan's name and Tendulkar and Kumble's word will be given back the honour -NIL/ZERO.ICC is playing a game with you now. Stand firm on achieving both the requests.Otherwise a month from now, Harbhajan will still be a racist and Sachin and Anil liars.
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