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Journalism of Courage
BRISBANE, JAN 8: Bob Simpson, the Australian member of the ICC panel that slapped a one-month ban on Pakistani pace bowler Shoaib Akhtar, has deplored suggestions that the ruling was influenced by racial bias.
While India, Pakistan and Zimbabwe were not represented, the decision was taken unanimously by the eight members present, said Simpson. “I think it disappoints everyone that racism is even mentioned. I just find it deplorable if this sort of thing comes up,” he said.
Simpson said Australian umpires’ tough stance on chucking was a result of Australia’s experience during 1950’s and 60s, when domestic cricket was plagued by bowlers with questionable actions.
“We saw the damage that it did to cricket out here, the ill-feeling it created. The whole point of what we are trying to do is to help anyone whose action infringes the law so they can come back into the game as a legitimate bowlers,” he said.
