India drop Hogg charge

Brad Hogg addresses the media following India's decision to drop the charge © Getty Images

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India have dropped their case against Australia all-rounder Brad Hogg after a meeting between captains Anil Kumble and Ricky Ponting.

The meeting, chaired by the International Cricket Council’s chief match referee Ranjan Madugalle, was arranged in a bid to calm the growing hostility between the sides which erupted in the second Test in Sydney.

One of the flash points saw Hogg charged by the ICC for using an offensive remark towards Kumble and India vice-captain Mahendra Singh Dhoni.

However, Kumble issued a statement insisting the matter has now been dropped.

He said: “What happened was that Ricky and I met up, had a discussion along with Ranjan and after that we decided that it was important that the game of cricket moves on.

“Cricket is larger than any individual. So it is important that we forget about what happened in Sydney which had some bad memories and incidents. It is now time to move on.

Anil Kumble claims it is time for both teams to "move on"

“In view of that, we have decided as a team to withdraw the charge made against Brad Hogg.

“It was just one of those incidents, probably in the heat of the moment. We now need to move on.”

An ICC spokesman said: “As it was the India team manager Chetan Chauhan who laid the charge against Brad Hogg, he is entitled to withdraw the charge prior to the case being heard.”

If found guilty, Hogg could have faced a ban of between two and four Tests after being charged with a level three offence under the ICC's code of conduct, which refers to abuse on the basis of a player's ‘race, religion, gender, colour, descent, or national or ethnic origin’.

Left-arm spinner Hogg admitted his relief at India’s decision.

“I thank the Indian team management for dropping the charges against me,” he said. “I am glad we can forget the whole incident and go on and play good cricket.”

Mike Procter, the match referee at the SCG, also praised the Indian stance, adding: “I think it is a magnificent gesture by India, showing their sportsmanship and the way they play the game. We can now get on with the cricket.”

Harbhajan Singh, who was banned for three Tests for racially abusing Andrew Symonds during the same game, is awaiting his appeal. It is expected to be heard after the third Test in Perth, which starts on Wednesday.