South African batsman Herschelle Gibbs was banned for two Tests by the ICC on Monday after being found guilty of using a racial slur against Pakistan fans in the first Test.He was heard describing the fans as “a bunch of bloody animals” by a stump microphone on Sunday. The supporters had abused South African spinner Paul Harris while he was fielding near the boundary.Gibbs apologised and unsuccessfully asked match referee Chris Broad to downgrade the charge.“I took into account the mitigating circumstances that the players were provoked by unruly spectators,” Broad said. “However, the remark was racially offensive, the player admitted saying it, and on that basis I am content that the level of the charge and the resulting punishment is appropriate.”Gibbs will miss the remaining two Tests of the series, which South Africa lead 1-0 after a seven-wicket win at Centurion Park earlier Monday, unless he lodges an appeal within 24 hours and it is upheld.“Herschelle says these remarks were for the ears only of his teammates in his proximity, and were directed in general terms at that section of the crowd that had verbally abused Harris,” Cricket South Africa chief executive Gerald Majola said. “He has apologised if he has caused offense to anyone.”CSA is conducting a separate hearing and Gibbs is expected to face a disciplinary panel on Tuesday.The Pakistan supporters who abused Harris were evicted from Centurion Park by stadium authorities.“This action was taken in terms of the regulations flowing from the International Cricket Council’s anti-racism policy,” Majola said.The second Test starts Friday in Port Elizabeth.PCB ‘surprised’ over Hair appointment Karachi: The Pakistan Cricket Board has been “surprised” by the announcement that controversial Australian umpire Darrell Hair would stand in a three-nation series in Kenya next week.“We have read with interest the appointment of Hair. We have also read the ICC explanation that he has been named since it is an associate members’ tournament — involving Scotland, Kenya and Canada — and not an international event,” a PCB official said.“We are going to discuss this at our meeting at Islamabad tomorrow and will then decide our next line of action,” he said.
