New Zealand judge to hear Bhajjis appeal: ICC

The International Cricket Council (ICC) on Wednesday appointed New Zealand High Court Judge as Commissioner for Harbhajan Singhs Code of Conduct appeal hearing.

Sydney, Jan 9 : The International Cricket Council (ICC) on Wednesday appointed New Zealand High Court Judge as Commissioner for Harbhajan Singh's Code of Conduct appeal hearing.

Justice John Hansen has been appointed to hear the appeal of Harbhajan Singh against the finding that he was guilty of making a racist remark to Australia all-rounder Andrew Symonds during the second Test at Sydney.

"The ICC received official notification of the appeal from the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) on Monday and the ICC Senior Counsel and Company Secretary Urvasi Naidoo appointed Justice Hansen today in line with ICC Code of Conduct processes. Justice Hansen will now make preparations for the appeal hearing" an ICC release said.

No time, date or venue for the appeal has yet been fixed

The charge against Harbhajan was laid by the two umpires after the close of play on day three of the second Test between Australia and India at the Sydney Cricket Ground following a complaint they received from the Australia captain Ricky Ponting.

The complaint was made by Ponting after the 116th over of India's first innings, prior to which Harbhajan is alleged to have made a racist comment directed at Symonds.

The Code of Conduct hearing was conducted by Mike Procter of the Emirates Elite Panel of ICC Match Referees after the Test concluded on Sunday 6 January.

Harbhajan pleaded not guilty to the charge. Procter found that the case was proved and imposed a ban of three Test matches on the India spinner.

Under the provisions of the ICC Code of Conduct, Justice Hansen has the power to increase, decrease, amend or otherwise substitute his own decision from that made at the previous hearing, and his decision is final and binding.

ANI