January 09, 2008	Wednesday	Zilhaj 29, 1428

COLOMBO, Jan 8: The Sri Lanka Cricket (SLC) got behind the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) on the ongoing racism row Down Under, saying hearing into the charges against off-spinner Harbhajan Singh was not conducted in a “proper manner”.

SLC secretary K Mathivanan said the ICC should initiate a proper enquiry into the matter.

“I think the enquiry was not very fair. It should be done in a proper manner. There should be more evidence,” he opined.

Harbhajan was accused by the Australians of racially abusing their all-rounder Andrew Symonds during the second Test in Sydney, which led to a three-Test ban on him.

The BCCI appealed against ban, which now stands suspended until appeal is disposed.

Mathivanan felt Ranjan Madugalle’s appointment as a facilitator for the match will help control the volatile situation, saying: “He will be making an effort to bring normalcy between the two teams.” —Agencies