ICC lifts two-match ban on Ganguly

Sourav Ganguly has had his two-match ban lifted © Getty Images

The ICC has lifted the two-match ban on Sourav Ganguly, allowing him to lead the Indian team for the second Test against South Africa at Kolkata on November 28. Ganguly had earlier been penalised for India's slow over-rate in the Platinum Jubilee one-day match against Pakistan on November 13, but he had appealed against the verdict to the ICC. The decision to lift the ban follows a teleconference on Thursday [November 25] in which Tim Castle, the ICC Appeals Commissioner, and Clive Lloyd, the match referee for that game, participated.

In his judgement, Castle explained: "On any analysis, the delay of nearly an hour to the finish of a 50 over ODI game beyond its scheduled finish time, is out of an acceptable range. I am of the opinion that the circumstances were particularly unusual in this game and a large number of them conspired to cause the delays which occurred." In his appeal, Ganguly had brought attention to frequent changing of the ball, the heavy dew and injuries to Rahul Dravid, the wicketkeeper, and Salman Butt, all of which would slow the over-rate.

Malcolm Speed, the chief executive of the ICC, expressed pleasure at the way the appeal has been handled. "The decision today demonstrates the independence of the ICC's appeals process," he said. "His judgement highlights the exceptional circumstances that prevailed during this particular match while also emphasising the general importance of maintaining the required over-rates during international matches."

Reacting to the verdict, Ganguly expressed his elation and looked forward to playing in his home ground against the South Africans. "I thank God, the BCCI, Jagmohan Dalmiya, Siddhartha Shankar Ray [former West Bengal chief minister, who was provided legal counsel to Ganguly] and others," he told reporters. "I am grateful for the the way they stood by me in the hour of crisis and gave me moral support."

Ganguly was also full of praise for Castle. "He gave me a very patient hearing. He heard all our arguments. I am happy that I was able to convince him. Now I can concentrate on the match [Kolkata Test]."