Harbhajan Singh

The Indian Cricket Board has suspended the national team's tour of Australia after the bowler Harbhajan Singh was banned for three matches. Harbhajan was accused by a referee of calling a black Australian player, Andrew Symonds, a monkey. He denies this and will appeal. From Sydney here's Nick Bryant.

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Then came a statement from the Indian Cricket Board that the tour had been suspended pending an appeal against the match referee's decision to ban Harbhajan Singh for three Tests for alleged racism.

The Indian board realises the game of cricket is paramount, read the statement. But so too is the honour of the Indian team and for that matter, every Indian. It described the allegation against Harbhajan Singh as blatantly false, and an unfair slur.

This is one of the biggest controversies to hit Australian cricket since the 'body line' series of the 1930s. Almost inevitably it's being called 'Bolly line'.

Listen to the words

was in doubt
might not happen

pending
while waiting for

appeal against
a formal request for a decision to be changed

Tests
five day international matches

alleged racism
supposedly being racist (treating someone badly because of their race)

paramount
very important

allegation
claim, accusation (something that is not proven)

blatantly false
very obviously not true

slur
unfair criticism that is intended to make people dislike someone

inevitably
unavoidably, it was certain to happen

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