Zeenews Bureau
Melbourne, Jan 31: Australia captain Ricky Ponting is unhappy about the judgment delivered in India off-spinner Harbhajan Singh’s case. He told reporters on Thursday that the entire Oz squad was disappointed with the system and it (final verdict) was the last thing that they wanted. He added that the players were ready to move on and keep cricket paramount.
He even hinted that he was shaken with the incident and Andrew Symonds, the man who was at the crux of the issue, has also been affected.
Sources report that the Australian players are angry over Cricket Australia’s attitude and handling of the whole issue. They felt that CA had to bow down in front of BCCI as the latter are the power brokers of the game. It was also speculated that it was on the behest of CA that Ponting agreed to drop the racial charges against Harbhajan.
Meanwhile, Cricket Australia (CA) chief executive James Sutherland too has expressed disappointment that India`s Harbhajan Singh did not get a more severe punishment for verbally abusing Australia`s Andrew Symonds.
On Tuesday, International Cricket Council (ICC) appeals commissioner John Hansen downgraded the charges against Harbhajan from racial abuse to using abusive language due to a lack of evidence.
The off-spinner consequently escaped a three-match suspension and was fined half his match fee.
"Judge Hansen says the penalty would have been different if he had had facts in front of him," Sutherland told reporters on Thursday.
"From that point of view, that`s disappointing, I`m disappointed, Cricket Australia is disappointed, it sounds like the judge is disappointed too."
However, Sutherland said CA was ready to move on.
"The judge`s decision is final, we accept that, there was an unfortunate error in circumstances that led to him not having all the facts in front of him at that time, but that`s gone," he added.
"It`s unfortunate that it has gone on so long. It`s an opportunity to reflect and to learn from this and we will, but now`s the time really to focus on what`s really important and that`s the game of cricket."
Sutherland said Symonds would also learn from the incident that marred Australia`s Sydney test victory at the start of January.
"Andrew Symonds is a brilliant cricketer, he`s a tough, uncompromising cricketer in terms of the way he plays the game," Sutherland said.
"He plays the game like most Australians are brought up to play. There`s no doubt for Andrew there are probably some things for him to reflect on."
