The BCCI welcomed the removal of Bucknor — he will be replaced by New Zealand’s Billy Bowden who will officiate along with Pakistan’s Asad Rauf — with its vice-president Rajiv Shukla calling it a “victory for cricket”.

Later, after an emergency meeting of the BCCI’s working committee, treasurer N Srinivasan, said: “The working committee fully and unequivocally endorsed the stand taken by the president and concerned officials with respect to the quality of umpiring and totally uncalled for, unjustified and patently illegal ban imposed on Harbhajan Singh by the match referee... The working committee of the BCCI took note of all relevant circumstances and developments and decided that Indian team tour to Australia should continue “for the present”. The BCCI will review the tour and all other developments continuously. The BCCI will request the ICC Appeals Commissioner, appointed to hear Harbhajan Singh’s appeal, to expeditiously dispose of the appeal... ICC has clarified to the Board that Harbhajan Singh could play till final disposal of the appeal. This is only an interim arrangement. BCCI is of the categorical view that the matter will have to be finally resolved and the unfair allegation against an Indian player be set aside/withdrawn.”

Though Harbhajan has been cleared to play in Perth pending a final decision, a reaffirmation of the ban could spark a fresh crisis.

In a letter sent yesterday to ICC president Ray Mali, BCCI president Sharad Pawar made it clear that the tour will be called off if the ban was not revoked. The ICC, meanwhile, has confirmed that it has received an “official notification” from the BCCI on the appeal.

... contd.