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Cricket

Harbhajan gets three-Test ban

06/01/2008

India spinner Harbhajan Singh has been banned for three Tests for making a racist jibe at Australian all-rounder Andrew Symonds.

The former Surrey bowler was found guilty of breaching the players' code of conduct by match referee Mike Procter.

Harbhajan is alleged to have called Symonds, 32, a "monkey" on day three of the first Test at Sydney.

Procter said it was proven that Harbhajan, 27, had used the word and "he meant it to offend on the basis of Symonds' race or ethnic origin".

The four-hour hearing was delayed until today after the Test match was finished, with Australia winning by 122 runs.

Rajeev Shukla, the vice president of the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI), said: "Both Harbhajan and BCCI will appeal against the ban within 24 hours."

Harbhajan can continue playing until the verdict of an appeal is known. If he is unsuccessful, he will miss the two remaining Tests in Australia.

The incident occurred when Harbhajan was batting with Sachin Tendulkar and the spinner was involved in a heated exchange of words with Symonds.

Australian captain Ricky Ponting joined in the row and then complained to umpires Mark Benson and Steve Bucknor.

India have lodged their own complaint against Australia's Brad Hogg for allegedly making an abusive remark at one of their players, according to reports.