Raj, if the BCCI has a gag order, you and I would surely agree that in the interests of justice, for Harbhajan's benefit and for the benefit of all concerned, the BCCI might just find it in their power/willingness to lift the gag and instruct Sachin to publicly disclose his version of events.
Not only would this provide welcome clarification, it would also shame Proctor if Sachin says "I told Proctor that Harbhajan definitely did not utter the word monkey at any time as I was able to hear the entire discusion between him and Symonds".
Of course, if Sachin only says "I didn't hear the word said by Harbhajan" then that would speak volumes because he's not saying the word wasn't said, just that he didn't hear it. That, opposed to 3 Australians saying they did hear the word being said, is an interesting conundrum.
Some comments on Symonds will follow shortly. Cheers Michael
RE:Sachin
by raj on Jan 08, 2008 08:17 PM Permalink
imagine a scenario - next match, when the players are going to drinks. symonds is at it again. a "friendly banter". bhajji is at the drinks trolley alone surrounded by aussie team members and no cameras nearby. suddenly symonds starts shouting, and all the aussie team members run to the umpire and claim bhajjie has shouted at him and abused him racially.
now what stops the umpire from banning permanently, since there has been a precedence in just the previous match ? now, how will people ever know if this is the case in the first palce , thats this match ? since proctor only went by the australian version, much that he says he's trying to be fair and has heard in the indian side too, its totally unfair that he choses to listen to the australian side. thats the bone of contention. its an insult to sachin, since his testimony has been ignored.
RE:RE:Sachin
by on Jan 08, 2008 08:29 PM Permalink
Raj, we don't know the specifics of Sachin's testimony - and therein lies the rub, as they say.
With it, we're all in a position to (better) comment. As for your scenario, as odd as it is (because as a batsmen, I've never taken a drinks break without talking to my partner), I agree it could be difficult. But again, you'd have an appeal process and the usual avenues if players tried to conspire in such a fashion.
I think you'll also find a lot more cameras and microphones from now on which will lessen the chance of any such conspiracy theories!
