racism is NEVER acceptable

it's been a really sad few days for cricket lovers with all the dramas that have flowed from the 2nd test in sydney. i do feel for the indian team as the standard of umpiring was absolutely dreadful and was most likely the key variable in their loss. this test had it all including a brilliant century from sachin tendulkar who is a marvel on the field and, from all accounts, a true gentleman off it. i admire gilly's stand on walking when one knows one's out but the truth is he's the only player in international cricket who does this. it seems a bit hypocritical to me for the indian team to complain that the aussies don't walk when their own players don't do it either.

but all the issues of umpires, whether players should walk or not, disputed catches etc are really just a red herring to try and take attention off the central issue of the current dispute which is what harbhajan singh called andrew symonds. the treatment symonds received from the crowds in india was disgraceful and, quite frankly, if such overt racism occurred in australia there would be an international outcry and sanctions from the ICC. just look at how murali reacted to calls of 'no ball' from aussie crowds which is tame compared to what symonds has had to endure in recent months.

the crucial principle which the ICC needs to uphold and reinforce is that racism is NEVER acceptable. it must be made clear that, no matter what is said or done, a racist response will always be punished, regardless of which country the offender is from.