KEY POINTS:
The behaviour of Australia's cricketers is under the microscope more than ever as relations with India hit new lows during an acrimonious second test.
The gripping final hour at the Sydney Cricket Ground, as Michael Clarke bowled the hosts to their 16th consecutive test victory with eight minutes to spare, was shrouded in the red mist that followed.
The telling statement from India's respected captain Anil Kumble: "I think only one team was playing in the spirit of the game"; the demands of India's manager Chetan Chauhan that erroneous umpire Steve Bucknor be removed for the third test in Perth; the furious response from Australian captain Ricky Ponting when an Indian journalist questioned his integrity; then, finally, the three-test suspension of Indian spinner Harbhajan Singh for allegedly calling Andrew Symonds a monkey, which contravened the International Cricket Council's hardline policy on racism.
The Board of Control for Cricket in India confirmed it would appeal against the Harbhajan decision, made by match referee Mike Procter after a 6 1/2-hour hearing, thereby clearing him to play in Perth.
Kumble's explosive comments at a packed press conference drew loud applause from the Indian media contingent.
It was likened to Australian captain Bill Woodfull's famous quote during the 1932-33 Bodyline series against England, and appeared to be directed primarily at Clarke.
On Saturday, Clarke clearly edged Kumble to first slip but stood his ground; then on Monday Clarke claimed a grass-height slips catch off Sourav Ganguly, who awaited the umpire's decision.
Replays were inconclusive, and showed the ball may have touched the ground, but umpire Mark Benson didn't ask for television replays after Clarke's and Ponting's assurances the catch was completed.
It wasn't a great look when replays showed Clarke clearly mouthing "f ... off" as he threw the ball skywards.
Channel Nine also zeroed in on Ponting's one-handed dive to catch M.S. Dhoni and loud appeal, with replays suggesting the ball was grounded in Ponting's grasp.
Dhoni was given not out because he didn't hit the ball.
That led to the Indian journalist's question which enraged Ponting, who jabbed his finger and said: "If you're actually questioning my integrity in the game then you shouldn't be standing there."
Ponting pointed out the low slips catch he didn't claim earlier in the test.
Respected columnists in Australian newspapers suggested Ponting, angry at his regular dismissals against Harbhajan, needed to rein in his own and his team's behaviour.
"For the moment, provocative Harbhajan has his measure and, as a consequence, Ponting is spitting chips and distracted," Mike Coward wrote in the Australian. In the Sydney Morning Herald, Peter Roebuck said that several umpiring blunders denied India a fair contest, and he took aim at the Australian players.
"Despite the amiability of many players, Ponting's team is developing an unwanted reputation for being headstrong and precious."
Indian team spokesman M.V. Sridhar said morale was a low ebb.
"We are all very disappointed by the way this test match has gone. We landed with an intention this tour would be played in the right spirit."
- NZPA
