***Official*** Commonwealth Bank Tri-Series 2007-08

[Sanz]

What? Hayden said, "That's racial vilification mate", "It's a **** word and you know it" and Harbhajan was just standing there smiling uneasily. Didn't even try to deny it.

That doesn't mean Hayden heard it. The only person that used the 'M...' word was Symonds and Hayden's statement seemed to be more from taking the word of his team mate than actually hearing what Bhajji said. There is no evidence to suggest that Hayden heard what Bhajji said. The more I read/hear it the more it seems that they were trying to setup Bhajji and even if it required constructing a web of lies.

Hayden doesn't have any credibility left on the issue, neither do his mates Symonds and Clarke.

 

[Ikki]

That doesn't mean Hayden heard it. The only person that used the 'M...' word was Symonds and Hayden's statement seemed to be more from taking the word of his team mate than actually hearing what Bhajji said. There is no evidence to suggest that Hayden heard what Bhajji said. The more I read/hear it the more it seems that they were trying to setup Bhajji and even if it required constructing a web of lies.

Not that I actually agree with the tripe above but let's stick to what I replied to. Even if Hayden had not heard what Harbhajan had said, he was accusing Harbhajan of racism quite obviously. Mentioning racial vilification, the word itself and it being used twice. Harbhajan made no denial of it and didn't ever have a solid description of events - which is quite different to being a witness (Clarke/Hayden) as Harbhajan is the accused.

Hayden doesn't have any credibility left on the issue, neither do his mates Symonds and Clarke.

Really couldn't care less who you think has credibility...

They may not be angels (they don't even have to be) but I know they're not going to make up an accusation like that.

 

[Sanz]

Or he actually said it and that was the only reason behind it. Why would they want Harbhajan banned when he was getting tonked for most of the series? The Aussies with their 'mental disintegration' focus on players who will do them harm, not those that are benefiting them.

The Aussies (cricketers, fans and media) always pick one guy in the opposition and throw all kinds of crap on them. Between 2000-2005 it was Ganguly and not it is Bhajji.

As for your nonsense of Bhajji was getting tonked around, and why would Aussie want him banned etc. FYI they didn't create all this fuss while he was bowling, it happened when he was batting, Check out his score in the first inning. Yes it was clearly benefitting Australia.

 

[ret]

tbh, i don't care what Hayden said .... that guy has little credibility, imo

 

[ret]

TRANSCRIPT of audio picked up from the Channel Nine stump microphone of alleged incident between Harbhajan Singh and Andrew Symonds at the SCG Test earlier this month.

Symonds walks up to Harbhajan at the end of an over.

Symonds: "Go and yell at your teammates .... You called me monkey again."

Matthew Hayden: "Twice. You've got a witness now champ."

Hayden approaches Harbhajan.

Hayden: "That's the last time."

Harbhajan: "No listen he started it."

Hayden: "Doesn't matter mate, it's racial vilification mate. It's a **** word and you know it."

Soon after, Michael Clarke approaches umpire Mark Benson.

Clarke: "It's not the first time. He done it in India and got into strife. That's the second time he's done it."

Captain Ricky Ponting walks up to Benson and gestures towards fellow umpire Steve Bucknor.

Ponting: "Go and tell him. Go and tell him straight away

as far as i see this, it's an example of OZ trying to bully

Symo says something to Bhajji, who retialiates and then Haydo doesn't even bother to know who started it [i guess it's taken that it has to be on OZ ] and tries to shut Bhajji up by saying it doesn't matter .... i guess, now trying to focus on whats worse and shove the OZ version of whats acceptable

I would recommend a fake kidnippaing of these jerks when they come to Ind and giving them .... there is no point in negotiating with such ppl

 

[jeevan]

What is Hayden being economical with the truth about?

If you were Harbhajan, well the racial vilification accusation made at you would
be a big one for starters. And given that a judge investigated it and found
no evidence, it would be a pretty logical explanation for the whole ordeal. That
it went so far as it did, because some witness or witnesses were lying. (Certainly
Judge Hansen has cited varying versions of the incident from the witnesses as
one factor throwing doubt).

Then on the radio was the other thing about India starting this sledging because they
were losing every game. Goes contrary to the truth there in a much more definitive way:
a) India werent losing every game, at the time of the interview at all.
b) Very specifically the Sydney incident was started by Symonds at a point in
the game where Harbhajan and Tendulkar had firmly seized the momentum.

It is very disingenious of Mr Hayden to attribute this to India's cricketing
performance.

Point of this post is to show that any half decent lawyer representing Harbhajan can throw out any lawsuit by Hayden, as Social is suggesting.

 

[Ikki]

The Aussies (cricketers, fans and media) always pick one guy in the opposition and throw all kinds of crap on them. Between 2000-2005 it was Ganguly and not it is Bhajji.

This is what I don't get... I am not exonerating an Aussie here. I don't care about Ganguly as he is quite different. We are talking about Harbhajan here. Why the constant digression?

As for your nonsense of Bhajji was getting tonked around, and why would Aussie want him banned etc. FYI they didn't create all this fuss while he was bowling, it happened when he was batting, Check out his score in the first inning. Yes it was clearly benefitting Australia.

Yes, Harbhajan managed to score a whopping 23 runs a dismissal.

Are you seriously trying to suggest Australia were fearful of Harbhajan's batting? Granted it was surprisingly good, but really...?

It seems there is little rational sense in this discussion.

 

[Burgey]

as far as i see this, it's an example of OZ trying to bully

Symo says something to Bhajji, who retialiates and then Haydo doesn't even bother to know who started it [i guess it's taken that it has to be on OZ ] and tries to shut Bhajji up by saying it doesn't matter .... i guess, now trying to focus on whats worse and shove the OZ version of whats acceptable

I would recommend a fake kidnippaing of these jerks when they come to Ind and giving them .... there is no point in negotiating with such ppl

Except, to be fair to Hayden, the judge at the appeal hearing described his and Tendulkar's evidence as the most impressive from any of the witnesses. More so than the other protagonists such as Symonds, Clarke or Harbhajan himself.

 

[adharcric]

How does highlighting this piece help you in any way, shape or form?

3 witnesses and no denial.

In fact, the only thing that Harby does offer is a feeble "No listen he started it."

And btw, why would the Australians even bother trying to frame Harby .

The guy was India's worst bowler in the series whilst Hayden and Symonds milked him for runs at every opportunity.

That is simply one of the most ridiculous conspiracy theories ever put forward.

If anything, those guys should've launched an appeal NOT to have him banned

Quite insulting to folks like Symonds and Hayden there - as stupid as they can be, doubt they'd ever frame someone because he was performing well or poorly against them. In fact, Bhajji's performance, be it getting tonked as a bowler or tonking them with the bat, is irrelevant. If anything, Symonds and Hayden were just looking for the right opportunity to catch Bhajji because he was being a **** and annoying them on the field.

 

[adharcric]

What? Hayden said, "That's racial vilification mate", "It's a **** word and you know it" and Harbhajan was just standing there smiling uneasily. Didn't even try to deny it.

That's your evidence that Bhajji indeed said it?

 

[howardj]

And you are a hypocrite who has been deprived of his mother's milk and basically had to depend on the milk supplied by the government of Australia. .

What the??

 

[jeevan]

Quite insulting to folks like Symonds and Hayden there - as stupid as they can be, doubt they'd ever frame someone because he was performing well or poorly against them. In fact, Bhajji's performance, be it getting tonked as a bowler or tonking them with the bat, is irrelevant. If anything, Symonds and Hayden were just looking for the right opportunity to catch Bhajji because he was being a **** and annoying them on the field.

Actually he may have a point about some Australian players targeting opponents who may be a cricketing challenge to them. Afterall, the first test went to cricketing script (visitors crashing to a large defeat) and there was nothing. Then, in Sydney the Indians turned in a reasonable performance with the ball and bat, and it was the unexpected good innings from Harbhajan that was threatening to actually turn the momentum of the match. Symonds cut loose at approximately this point.

Clarke too was sledging Tendulkar about his running between wickets. And Hayden was mocking Ishant and not Uthappa. Maybe coincidences, may be not.

 

[Burgey]

Actually he may have a point about some Australian players targeting opponents who may be a cricketing challenge to them. Afterall, the first test went to cricketing script (visitors crashing to a large defeat) and there was nothing. Then, in Sydney the Indians turned in a reasonable performance with the ball and bat, and it was the unexpected good innings from Harbhajan that was threatening to actually turn the momentum of the match. Symonds cut loose at approximately this point.

Clarke too was sledging Tendulkar about his running between wickets. And Hayden was mocking Ishant and not Uthappa. Maybe coincidences, may be not.

But then why is the 2005 Ashes series then regarded as having been played in some of the best spirit seen in years? For the most part, the same players were there from an Australian point of view, save for Symonds, and they weren't only challenged, they were beaten.

I think a lot of it is that some players form these two teams just don't get on. That doesn't justify the things that have gone on, but I think the simplest answer may be the best one in this case.

 

[sirdj]

They were quite obviously accusing him of racial abuse, per his understanding of what 'monkey' meant in consideration of what happened in India previously.

Hayden quite bluntly says: "That's racial vilification mate". How can you get any clearer as to what is being accused of you?

Lets see.........Harbhajan is abused by Symonds........Harbhajan abuses him back in turn using Hindi/Punjabi swear words.............then all of a sudden the "monkey" allegation is thrown at him and then Hayden says "racial vilification".........and you expect a composed denial from him???
This attitude from people like you is exactly the two-faced attack that he faced all through this tour in Australia. He is now being accused of being a racist solely because he did not defend himself adequately in the heat of the moment??!! And that was the compelling evidence for you?? Like I said for certain sections of Australians he was damned if he did anything and damned if he did not.

He didn't accuse Harbhajan of being poorly dressed or a crappy bowler; Harbhajan was accused of racism. I thought Indians took racism seriously?

Do you start defending yourself if someone comes around and heaps an unfair accusation at you? or are you surprised at what the hell is going on?

And don't even begin to talk about taking racism seriously............because if you were................you would have said something about the way the certain sections of the Australian crowd went after him.Or is it only racism when its directed towards a coloured Australian player??

Or he actually said it and that was the only reason behind it. Why would they want Harbhajan banned when he was getting tonked for most of the series? The Aussies with their 'mental disintegration' focus on players who will do them harm, not those that are benefiting them.

Like I have said earlier......probably it was not Harbhajan's performance that made them target him......but the fact that he looked like the only chink in the armour of the Indian team.

 

[ret]

After getting the taste of their own medicine, I expect OZ to play future series with India in "best spirit", just like the OZ played the Ashes 05

may be the OZ players r jealous of their Ind counerparts coz Indians earn more money despite not performing upto the OZ standards in the past .... may be that explains why Symo was writing stuff on Ind's 20T celebrations

 

[Burgey]

Lets see.........Harbhajan is abused by Symonds........Harbhajan abuses him back in turn using Hindi/Punjabi swear words.............then all of a sudden the "monkey" allegation is thrown at him and then Hayden says "racial vilification".........and you expect a composed denial from him???
This attitude from people like you is exactly the two-faced attack that he faced all through this tour in Australia. He is now being accused of being a racist solely because he did not defend himself adequately in the heat of the moment??!! And that was the compelling evidence for you?? Like I said for certain sections of Australians he was damned if he did anything and damned if he did not.


Do you start defending yourself if someone comes around and heaps an unfair accusation at you? or are you surprised at what the hell is going on?

And don't even begin to talk about taking racism seriously............because if you were................you would have said something about the way the certain sections of the Australian crowd went after him.Or is it only racism when its directed towards a coloured Australian player??


Like I have said earlier......probably it was not Harbhajan's performance that made them target him......but the fact that he looked like the only chink in the armour of the Indian team.

Wasim Jaffer ftw.

 

[sirdj]

Wasim Jaffer ftw.

Wasim Jaffer's performance may have been poor.........but he is not someone who talks on the pitch whether he is batting or fielding.
So sledging him would not have made any inroads into the Indian team.

 

[Sanz]

Not that I actually agree with the tripe above but let's stick to what I replied to. Even if Hayden had not heard what Harbhajan had said, he was accusing Harbhajan of racism quite obviously. Mentioning racial vilification, the word itself and it being used twice. Harbhajan made no denial of it and didn't ever have a solid description of events - which is quite different to being a witness (Clarke/Hayden) as Harbhajan is the accused.

Ugh..The question is not whether Harbhajan said anything or not, the question is - Is it clear from the stump mic recording that Harbhajan said the 'M..' word and Hayden heard it ? The answer to both the questions is NO. There is no evidence to suggest that Harbhajan said the 'M..' word and nor is there any way to prove that Hayden heard anything that was said by Bhajji.

If Hayden/Clarke had not heard the actual word/senetnce how can they accuse someone of racism ? If you are going to accuse someone of a charge like Racism, make sure that you really heard the racial abuse.

To me it seems that they simply took the word of Symonds and acted upon it.

Really couldn't care less who you think has credibility...

I know who you find more credible, that's not really a surprise. I mean if Hayden's word takes precedence over Tendulkar's then yeah I dont have much more to say about your unbiased approach on the issue.

They may not be angels (they don't even have to be) but I know they're not going to make up an accusation like that.

Yeah Right !! From what one has seen of Aussie Players in the past, It is not too hard to figure out that they will stoop to any level to mentally disintegrate and they get full support from the fans, their board and at times even their prime ministers.

 

[Sanz]

And btw, why would the Australians even bother trying to frame Harby .

The guy was India's worst bowler in the series whilst Hayden and Symonds milked him for runs at every opportunity.

That is simply one of the most ridiculous conspiracy theories ever put forward.

If anything, those guys should've launched an appeal NOT to have him banned

Let me try to explain this again :-

When they made this whole accusation up, Harbhajan was batting.with Tendulkar and was involved in 100+ partnership for 8th wicket, Perhaps the worst session for Australia in that test match.

His bowling is temed as poor but one must not forget that in the 1st test he already gotten 3 top Aussie batsmen out in the 2nd innings, even in the second test 1st innings, he got Ponting and Clarke out first then helped India get close to 500 with his batting. If you still believe that Australia were not desperate to get under his skin, then god help you.

 

[Sanz]

I mean I am appalled at the hypocrisy being shown by some Aussie fans here. You accuse Harbhajan of racism without a shred of evidence and yet continue to maintain your silence over the racist abuse hurled at him by your own crowd.

Yeah yeah I know , its some idiots in the crowd and blah blah blah..that's your defence for the aussie crowd behaviour but when it comes to Indian crowds, you start your counting in 1000s.

Needless to say, people continue to defend Hayden who is not only a liar but also shown to have racist attitude.