Harbhajan Has No Case To Answer After Sydney
Cleared: Harbhajan Singh celebrates a wicket in Sydney.
©REUTERS/Tim Wimborne (AUSTRALIA) Picture Supplied by Action Images
India won the match by six wickets to take a 1-0 series lead with Harbhajan taking the wickets of Matthew Hayden and Andrew Symonds, two men with whom he'd had run ins over the summer.
Hayden was reprimanded for calling Harbhajan an "obnoxious weed", while Harbhajan was accused of calling Symonds a "monkey" during the Test series, although he was cleared of that offence as well.
India's management backed Harbhajan over these latest claims, which surfaced in the Australian media.
"I think it is wrong," India manager Bimal Soni said. "Nothing has been done like that. They are making a mountain out of a molehill. He did nothing.
"These stories I do not believe them and I strongly condemn them."
Match referee Jeff Crowe investigated the charges and found Harbhajan had nothing to answer for.
“I have investigated the alleged incident with Cricket Australia’s ground security officials after reading newspaper reports and viewing related photographs that have been published. After reviewing all available information, I conclude that there is no need to take any action against Harbhajan Singh," he said in a statement.
The second final takes place in Brisbane on Tuesday.
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