Denness is dropped in defiance of world body

Cricket yesterday became a matter of governmental concern in South Africa as the row over referee Mike Denness' involvement in the third Test against India burned on.

After talks with their Indian counterparts, the South African United Cricket Board reluctantly agreed to stand down Denness for the third Test in Centurion.

UCB chief executive Gerald Majola instructed officials at Centurion Park to refuse Denness access to the match referee's position.

But the International Cricket Council immediately rejected the proposal, insisting Denness was appointed to referee the series and must not be replaced to avoid setting "an unacceptable future precedent".

If, as now appears likely, the match goes ahead without Denness as match referee, it will not be ratified as a Test by the ICC.

Ngconde Balfour, South Africa's Minister of Sport and Recreation, wrote to ICC president Malcolm Gray and CEO Malcolm Speed to request "special permission" for the UCBSA to replace Denness.

Speed has said the match would not be ratified as a Test without Denness' involvement.

"Numerous efforts have already been made by both South Africa and India to persuade the ICC to reconsider its stance on the matter," said Balfour.

"We view your reluctance to do so in a rather serious light and believe that it does not serve the best interest of cricket."

Former England captain Denness has become an unpopular figure among the Indian team after he imposed penalties on six of their players during the second Test.

The Indian press have strongly criticised Denness, with some claiming he should have acted against South African players for excess appealing.

Indian players have refused to take the field tomorrow if Denness stays in his job.

He found Sachin Tendulkar guilty of ball tampering and suspended Virender Sehwag for one Test for appealing too often.

Speed said: "Mike Denness was properly appointed by the ICC for this series and approved by both South Africa and India.

"No cricket board has the authority to remove Mr Denness from his position as match referee.

"The ICC cannot accede to demands for his removal. To remove him under this kind of pressure would be to disregard the rules agreed by all member countries and set an unacceptable future precedent."

South Africa lead the three–Test series 1–0, after winning the opening match in Bloemfontein.