Harbhajan denies allegations of racial abuse

Sydney, Jan 4 (UNI) Indian off-spinner Harbhajan Singh today caste aside the allegations of racial abuse levelled against him by Australia's Andrew Symonds during the third day of the second Test at SCG, saying it was just a normal conversation.

Harbhajan was quoted as saying by 'The Age' ''I haven't done anything we were just talking. It wasn't even sledging it was just normal talk out on the cricket field. I was concentrating on my batting.'' He denied making any untoward comments on Symonds and was more concerned about his batting.

''I did not say anything racist. I do not know what is going on. I am here to play well for my country, to bowl well and to win this Test match. This is an important game for us and we have a chance to win that's what I'm focused on.'' he said.

Meanwhile India's media manager M V Sridhar said the spinner told the management that he did not make any racial comments against Symonds.

''According to Harbhajan he did not say anything which was offensive,'' he said.

He further added BCCI and Cricket Australia's relationship would not be affected by Symonds' complaint against Harbhajan.

''The relationship between the BCCI and CA is excellent and this Test match has seen some very competitive cricket being played. We would not let allow a small incident to overshadow everything,'' he said.

The charge was laid after an agitated Australian skipper Ricky Ponting complained to umpires Mark Benson and Steve Bucknor.

The offie is charged with a Level 3.3 offence under the ICC Code of Conduct. Under the code, he has been summoned for ''using language or gestures that offends, insults, humiliates, intimidates, threatens, disparages or vilifies another person on the basis of that person's race, religion, gender, colour, descent, or national or ethic origin''.

The turbanator is scheduled for a hearing tomorrow by match refree Mike Proctor.

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