Ban on Ganguly lifted

The International Cricket Council (ICC) has lifted a two-match ban it had imposed over Indian captain Sourav Ganguly as a result of slow over rate, after the latter won an appeal against it.

This means that Sourav Ganguly will be able to lead India against the visiting Proteas in the second Test match starting tomorrow (Sunday) at Kolkata.

Ganguly had been banned for two Tests, after ICC match referee Clive Lloyd found him guilty of slow over rate, in an ODI against Pakistan, also in Kolkata, on November 13.

Despite the ban, he did play the first Test of the on-going two-Test series against South Africa, after being allowed to do so as a result of his pending appeal.

The decision to lift the ban follows a teleconference on Thursday in which Tim Castle, the ICC Appeals Commissioner, and Llyod, participated, which led to the conclusion that there were other factors which caused the slow over rate, in Salman Butt's injury, and the problem with dew.

Posted by Sudeep