The Hindu : Sport / Cricket : Gambhir appeal rejected; Vijay in squad

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Gambhir appeal rejected; Vijay in squad

Special Correspondent

Nagpur: Justice Albie Sachs, appointed the Appeals Commissioner by the ICC to hear Gautam Gambhir’s appeal over his one-Test ban, has upheld the penalty imposed by match referee Chris Broad.

Gambhir — who elbowed Shane Watson during the course of a double-century in the third Test, leading to the charge being laid — will miss the crucial fourth Test beginning here on Thursday.

Unfortunate lapse

Justice Sachs, in his verdict, said: “I am prepared to accept that he (Gambhir) had been the victim of prolonged and persistent verbal abuse by members of the Australian team, culminating in a moment of anger that led to his unfortunate lapse.

“(But) cricket is not a contact sport. Small collisions can lead to big ones. Players must constantly be on guard to avoid physical contact with opposition players. The risk of accidental collision must be cut down. Deliberate collision can never be condoned, however grave the provocation.

BCCI objects

The BCCI has, however, refused to accept the decision, and has sent its objection to the ICC. “The said order has been passed without affording the player an opportunity of personal hearing, legal representation and without acceding to his request for certain documents/recordings to be given to him and also denying him an extension of time,” the board said in a release.

Twenty-four-year-old Tamil Nadu opener M. Vijay, who made 243 against Maharashtra in a Ranji Trophy match still in progress, has been included in the national squad and asked to report here in Nagpur.

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