ICC lifts two-match ban on Ganguly

ICC lifts two-match ban on Ganguly

Friday, November 26, 2004 (New Delhi):

Indian Captain Sourav Ganguly's two-Test ban has been lifted by the International Cricket Council (ICC) and he is free to play in the Kolkata test against South Africa starting on Sunday.

Ganguly had been banned for two Tests by match referee Clive Lloyd for a slow over rate during the India-Pakistan Jubilee game on November 13.

Appeal heard

However the ICC's appeals commissioner Tim Castle, a barrister from New Zealand decided in favour of Ganguly after a tele-conference with him on Thursday.

Castle said unusual factors had caused the delay and Ganguly was not to blame for a slow over rate.

Castle said in his judgement, "On any analysis the delay of nearly an hour to finish a 50 over ODI game beyond its scheduled finish time, is out of an acceptable range. However I am of the opinion that the circumstances were particularly unusual in this game and a large number of them conspired to cause the delays which occurred."

Ganguly had stressed exactly that point in his appeal. He had said the delays were because of the dew because of which the ball was changed as many as four times.

Fans welcome decision

Meanwhile, Ganguly's successful appeal also makes for some very relieved fans in Kolkata.

They're clearly delighted that the Prince of Kolkata will be available to lead his side in the second Test against South Africa at Eden Gardens.

"He's our hero from Bengal. We are proud of him and if he had not played we would have been devastated," said a fan.

However Ganguly still needs to be on his guard. He may have won this battle but the fact that he's already been fined for a slow over rate twice this year means that he will continue to be watched very closely by other match referees.

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(With PTI inputs)